Duffy's Circus |
Patrick James Duffy (1828 -1890) was a young shoemaker from Belfast who developed a fascination for the foreign circuses that visited Ireland. After honing his skills as an acrobat, he and his wife began touring England as acrobatic performers in the 1840s. A remarkable talent, Patrick is said to have peformed for Queen Victoria. After his death, in 1890, his sons and grandsons returned to Ireland and re-established the circus the family is famous for. |
Descendents of Margaret Cavel and Patrick James Duffy*: Christopher Duffy (acrobat) born Salford c 1848, married Esther Daucher, born 1851, Gravesend, Kent. Children included: George (acrobat) born 1868; Christopher born 1871; Mary Ann Lydia Hermann Duffy (rider and circus artiste) born 1875, married Dan Gregory (musical clown); Alexander Duffy born 1880; and Rose Duffy, born c 1851 John Duffy (acrobat, showman and circus proprietor) born Leeds c 1853, married Ann Hallam Sylvester (Ann was the daughter of Phyllis Mee and the step-daughter of acrobatic clown John Sylvester): Children included: John Duffy: circus
proprietor known as the
"Irish Barnum", born 1875, Over,
Cambridgeshire, married Annie (Mary Ellen) White in Edinburgh, 1901.
Children included: John Duffy (circus proprietor) born 1902,
married
Emma
Steckel; and James Duffy (circus proprietor, "Banana the Clown")
born
1903, married May, then
Priscilla Kayes.
Elizabeth Duffy: born c 1855Phyllis Duffy (tight rope dancer): born c 1878: married Arthur Wilson (showman and circus proprietor) in New Monkland, Scotland, 1901. Children: Phillis (married Declan Thomas), Annie (married Dick Monte), Martha (married George Monte) and James William Duffy. Arthur Wilson was the grandson of Henrietta and William Wilson (showman). Dick and George Monte were grandsons of showman Randall Williams. Lizzie (Elizabeth) Duffy (aerialist): born c 1880: married James Candlish, then Sydney Mitzsuko Thomas Duffy (ringmaster), born 1882 (England) James Duffy (equestrian, ringmaster and circus proprietor): born 1884 (England), married Selena Kayes (daughter of William Kayes and Elizabeth Baker). Children included: James (ringmaster), Johnny, Billy, Freddy, Albert, Lena, Arthur and Tom (ringmaster) Caroline Duffy, born 1889, Dolgelly, North Wales Margaret Duffy, died January 31, 1897, Cashel, Connemara, Ireland Thomas Duffy: born c 1858: Margaret: Duffy born 1860, Margaret Duffy: born c 1863, died July 17, 1913, Newtownards. Buried at Drogheda. Mary Emily Duffy: born c 1867: married Conrad Englehart Dickel *Patrick Duffy is believed to have been the son of Bridget Galey and Patrick Duffy (b c.1799) of Dublin. |
| 1860 Patrick and Margaret's eldest daughter Margaret was born in Liverpool in July. Patrick's occupation on the birth certificate was "acrobat". |
| 1861 45 Crown Lane, Manchester St. George, Lancashire, 1861 Patrick Duffy, head, 39, Ireland, theatrical performer Margaret Duffy, wife, 38, Ireland, theatrical performer Christopher Duffy, son, 13, Salford, theatrical performer Rose Duffy, daughter, 10, Manchester, theatrical performer John Duffy, son, 8, Leeds, Yorkshire, theatrical performer Elizabeth Duffy, daughter, 5, Hull, Yorkshire Thomas Duffy, son, 3, London Margaret Duffy, daughter, 7 months, Liverpool Railway Tavern, 22 Well Street, Bedford St. Paul, Bedfordshire, 1861 John Silvester, 25, lodger, travelling theatrical performer, Sheffield 31 Howard Place, Birmingham St. Philip, Warwickshire, 1861 Phillis Silvester, 25, married, Nottinghamshire, frame work knitter Ann Silvester, daughter, 8, Radford, Nottinghamshire, scholar |
| 1871 Caravans, Bull Lane, Mile End Old Town, London, 1871 [Patrick] James Duffy, 42, acrobat, Ireland Margaret Duffy, 39, Ireland John Duffy, 18, son, acrobat, Leeds Elizabeth Duffy, daughter, 14, street performer, Hull, Yorkshire Thomas Duffy, son, 12, acrobat, Spitalfields Margaret Duffy, daughter, 8, street performer, Spitalfields Emily Duffy, 4, daughter, scholar, Shadwell, Middlesex 1 Sun Court, St. Georges in the East, Tower Hamlets, London, 1871 John Silvester, 37, gymnastic, Birmingham Phillis Silvester, 38, Nottingham Ann Silvester, 19, singer, Nottingham Johnny Silvester, 12, conjuror, Sheffield Edward Silvester, 5, scholar, London |
| 1873 Marriage of John Duffy and Ann Hallam Sylvester at the Parish Church, St. Mary's, Nottingham. Their residence at the time was Poplar (North London). 1875 Birth of Mary Ann Lydia Hermin Duffy, daughter of Esther Daucher and Christopher Duffy, contortionist at Burslem. 1878 Birth of Phillis Duffy at Adam Street, Ashton, Warwick. Daughter of Ann Hallam Sylvester and John Duffy, acrobat. |
| 1881 107 Maroon St, Limehouse, London, Middlesex, 1881 [Patrick] James Duffy 55 Belfast, Ireland, Head, professional juggler showman Margeret Duffy, 53, Dublin, Ireland, wife Elizabeth Duffy, unmarried, 27, Hull, daughter Thomas Duffy, unmarried, 20, Spitalfields, Middlesex, son Margaret Duffy, 18, Spitalfields, Middlesex, daughter John Duffy, 12, Spitalfields, Middlesex, son Emily Duffy, 15, Canterbury, Surrey, daughter 20 North St, Limehouse, London, Middlesex, 1881 Christopher Duffy, 33, Salford, Lancashire, Head, acrobat (performer) Esther Duffy, 30, Gravesend, Kent, wife George Duffy, 13, Liverpool, Lancashire, son, acrobat Lydia Duffy, 6, Burslem, Stafford, Daughter, scholar Alexander Duffy, 1, Stepney, Middlesex, son Caravan, New Station Rd, Aldershot, Hampshire, 1881 John Duffy, 29, Leeds, York, Head, traveller (showman) Ann Duffy, 29, Nottingham, wife John Duffy, 5, Over, Cambridge, son Phillis Duffy, 3, Birmingham, daughter Elizabeth Duffy, 1, London, Stratford, Middlesex, daughter Caravan, Connaught St, Radford, Nottingham, 1881 John Sylvester, 49, Birmingham, Warwick, bazaar keeper Phillis Sylvester, 48, Eastwood, Nottingham, wife, framework knitter Harry Sylvester, 11, Birmingham, Warwick, son, scholar John Sylvester, 5 months, Over, Lincoln, son, scholar |
| 1886 With Manley's Circus in London. 1887 With Campbell & Kaley's Circus spring 1887 - July 1887, then went to Jersey and Guernsey. |
| 1890 August: London: Patrick James Duffy, died at Limehouse, London. The cause of his death was attributed to disease of the spinal cord arising from his early vocation as an acrobat: "Last Monday Mr. Wynne
Baxter, coroner for East London, held an
inquest at Poplar Town Hall, respecting the death of Patrick James
Duffy aged sixty-three, formerly a gymnast, and lately residingat 14
1/2 Limehouse-causeway. Emily Dickle, a daughter of deceased, deposed
that her father was sitting outsider her door at 9.30 on Friday night
(8th inst.) when he suddenly began to tremble violently and asked who
was shaking his chair. He was assisted indoors and a doctor was sent
for, but death took place soon after midnight. When deceased was an
acrobat he was patronised by the Royal Family and had performed before
the Queen. Dr. M'Andrew, deposed that he was called to deceased, and
found him
suffering from violent tetanic twitchings on one side. He sat and
watched him, and a very violent attack came on, the body being greatly
contorted, which produced prostration and ended in death. The cause of
death was the morbid condition of the spinal cord, caused by some
sprain. The suddenness of the death was remarkable, a fortnight being
about the time for the disease to end fatally. Deceased's
avocation as
an acrobat would produce the condition of the spine. The symptoms were
similar to those of a person who had taken nux vomica. The jury
returned a verdict that death was due to tetanic
spasms, caused
by the morbid condition of the spinal cord, arising from the avocation
of an acrobat. (Singular
Death of An Acrobat, The Era,
Aug 16, 1890)
|
| 1891 No sign of John Duffy, Christopher in British Census, 1891 (probably in Ireland). 1897 February: Ireland: “DEATHS: Duffy – On Jan. 31st Cashel, Connemara, Ireland, Margaret, daughter of John Duffy of Duffy’s Circus of Varieties (The Era, Feb 13, 1897) 1898 Easter: Belfast: "Duffy's pavilion of Varieties (The Showman's World, The Era, April 16, 1898) Ireland: "Duffy theatre of varieties" (The Era, May 21, 1898) |
| 1899 November: Wishaw Fair: "Duffy's well-known circus (Music Hall Gossip, The Era, November 4, 1899) John Duffy's Circus toured Scotland and were noted at Hamilton (Merry Go Round). 1900 "Wanted, a steady Man as Agent in Advance for a Small Circus, to travel Scotland. Must be willing to use paste brush. State lowest terms. Address, Mr. John Duffy, Garngad Road, Glasgow. P. S. Alf Owens write in. (The Stage, 22 March 1900, p 22) "Wanted, Agent-in-Advance for Circus. Must understand business and willing to use pastebrush. Can join at once, through disappointment. Tom Davis write in. State lowest terms, with reference. John Duffy, Circus, Links Fair Ground, Aberdeen. (The Stage, 26 Apr 1900, p 22) |
| 1901 January: New Monkland, Lanarkarkshire, Scotland: Marriage: Arthur Wilson, showman, 22, son of Martha Southall and showman Fred Wilson and Phyllis Duffy, 22, daughter of Annie Silvester and showman John Duffy. January: Edinburgh: Marriage: John Duffy, showman, 24, son of Annie Sylvester and John Duffy, circus proprietor and Mary Ellen White, 24, daughter of Elizabeth Day and Joseph White, entertainment proprietor (deceased). Barrhead Road (grass park), Newton Mearns, Renfrewshire, Scotland, 1901 John Duffy, head, 48, England, circus proprietor Ann Duffy, wife, 48, England Lizzie Duffy, daughter, 21, England Thomas Duffy, son, 19, England James Duffy, son, 17, England Caroline Duffy, daughter, 13, Wales, North John Duffy Jr., head, England, travelling bazaar Mary E. Duffy, head, Newcastle William Whyte, servant, 16, England, servant of circus proprietor |
| 1902 Spent the winter season at Millfield, Belfast. 1903 During the year performed at Coalisland in County Tyrone and Cookston. At the end of the touring season, returned to Belfast where they over-wintered. They performed at the Christmas Fair on Chapel Fields for one week. Over the winter they started a theatrical show (a portable theatre) with John Duffy as the chief comedian (the theatre apparently had a run of four or five seasons during the winter months at Drogheda). 1904 Duffy and company returned to Belfast at the end of the 1904 tour and opened their theatre in Dee Street off the Newtownards Road. |
1906 “Wanted, for Duffy’s Star Portable Theatre, to open in or near Belfast first week in November. Stage Manager, to Play Lead: also Leading Lady. Useful People write in. Must be well up in Portable business, steady and reliable; if not, save stamps. All letters, DUFFY, Circus Proprietor, G.P.O., Newry, Ireland (The Stage, 11 Oct 1906, p 18) “Circus Party Attacked: Coalisland, Tuesday. Duffy’s Circus arrived in this town at a late hour on Sunday evening and pitched their tents in a field at Annagher, adjacent to the village. Yesterday about dinner hour, James E. Bradley, a Gaelic Leaguer was crossing close by the circus near a route to his residence, when he was intercepted, it is said, by one of the circusmen, who, it appears, refused to allow him to proceed that way. Some words followed, and an encounter took place. It is alleged that thereupon a number of circusmen maltreated Bradley. The news of the affair rapidly spread through the mills and factories, with the result that about the hour fixed for the performance, fully 500 people had assembled on the surrounding hills, bent on a rigorous boycott. No sooner had a few parties taken their seats in the circus than a fuselage of stones came down upon the canvass, and matters assuming a serious aspect, about nine of the circusmen, armed with revolvers and swords, mounted their horses and kept the crowd at a distance. Shortly afterward the police arrived and several baton charges ensued. Some of the circusmen were injured, and in the melee, Sergeant M’Ehlinney and Constable Bell, Coalisland, and Constable Kelly, Stewartstown, were injured. The crowds kept their ground, the police unable to cope with them. Subsequently, the Rev. S. Brown, C.C. appeared on the scene, and the crown shortly afterward dispersed. . . . It is stated that Mr. Duffy intends to claim compensation to the extent of £25. . . .” (The Irish Times, 13 October 1906) Twenty-five men were charged for the assault on Duffy’s Circus on October 8th at Stewartstown Petty Sessions (The Irish Times, 8 Nov 1906) 1907 “Duffy’s Grand Circus . . . The first performance was a lady walking on a rope. Then came the “Human Serpent”. After that was the “Human Anvil”. The night’s entertainment ended with a Cinematograph . . . .” (The Irish Times, 3 Aug 1907) “Wanted, Full Stage Company (Stage Manager included) for the largest and best Portable in Ireland, to open first week November. Money sure. Must dress well off and on. People used to Portables preferred. Must be attentive to business or save stamps. Add., Duffy, Circus Proprietor, Saturday Ballintra, Monday, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal (The Stage, 3 Oct 1907) “Wanted, for the Largest and Best Portable in Ireland. First and Second Violin. Those used to the business only. Open first or second week November. Six months sure for suitable people. Lowest terms to John Duffy, Circus Proprietor, Ballinamallard, Saturday; Dromore, Monday, Co. Tyrone. (The Stage, 10 Oct 1907, p 25) “Wanted, all people engaged to be in attendance at Ballymena no later than 11 o’clock, Monday, 11 th (sooner if possible) for the Largest and Grandest Portable in Ireland. Leading Man write in (signed) John Duffy, Circus Proprietor, Ballymena, near Belfast (The Stage, 31 Oct 1907) |
| 1909 Duffy's Circus was at Wishaw, Scotland (Merry Go Round) John Duffy (sr) died at Cottage Hospital at Drogheda on October 4, 1909 his wife Annie took over running the show. |
| 1911 Census information from National Archives of Ireland 15, Shore Road, Newtownards, Co. Down, Ireland, 1911 John Duffy, head, 34, circus performer, Roman Catholic, cannot read Mary Ellen White, 34, wife, circus performer, Renfrewshire, Scotland, Roman Catholic, cannot read, married 10 years John Duffy, son, 9 James Duffy, son, 8 16, Shore Road, Newtownards, Co. Down, Ireland, 1911 James Candlish, head, 32, circus performer, Scotland, Presbyterian, can read and write Lizzie Candlish, wife, 32, circus performer, Scotland, Presbyterian, can read and write, married 3 years Annie Candlish, daughter, 3, Scotland, Presbyterian 17, Shore Road, Newtownards, Co. Down, Ireland, 1911 Annie Duffy, head, 57, widow, circus performer, London, Roman Catholic, can read and write James Duffy, son, 28, circus performer, London, Roman Catholic, can read and write Tommy Duffy, son, 30, circus performer, London, Roman Catholic, can read and write Johannah Cosnett, 24, servant, married, circus performer, London, Roman Catholic, can read and write Michael Cosnett, 2, London, Roman Catholic 18, Shore Road, Newtownards, Co. Down, Ireland, 1911 Arthur Wilson, head, 33, circus performer, Lancashire, Free Church Phyllis Duffy, wife, 33, circus performer, Birmingham, Catholic, married 10 years, 5 children born alive, 4 still living Phyllis Wilson, daughter, 9, circus performer, Midlothian, Scotland, Free Church Annie Wilson, daughter, 7, South Africa, Free Church Martha Wilson, daughter, 5, Wicklow, Free Church James William Wilson, son, 2, Antrim, Free Church |
| 1913 Athy, Ireland: “Back in 1913 three circuses were in Athy on the same day - Duffy's, Buff Bill's and Hanneford's.” (John Moriarty’s Circus Memories) Margaret Duffy died at Newtownards on July 17, 1913 and was buried at Drogheda. |
| 1914 Started touring as the Duffy Family Circus. |
| 1917 After touring for three seasons as the "Duffy Family Circus", the partnership between family members dissolved and three circuses evolved: James Duffy and his sister
began touring "Duffy and McClean's
Circus" (later "James Duffy & Sons Circus")
Arthur Wilson and wife Phyllis Duffy were touring "Wilson and Duffy Circus" (later Wilson's Circus) John Duffy began touring as "John Duffy and Sons" (later Duffy's Circus) Wexford: “Duffy's Circus arrived in town in May 1917. It promised a noble stud of horses and coloured ponies along with a troupe of lady and gentlemen acrobats. Also to be looked forward to was "Mademoiselle Petresque, the female human serpent - a mystery to all the medical experts of America". Add to these, Texas Jack, the famous rough rider, a merry gathering of men in motley, 10 clowns and several rare attractions and you had an excellent entertainment. To add to the excitement Duffy's promised a gorgeous street procession.” (Wexford County publication) Wilson and Duffy's Circus and John Duffy & Sons Circus toured with Teddy Fossett 1917-18 1918 “Wanted, for John Duffy and Sons’ Big Circus, Acts, in all Lines. Anything that can be done in a Circus Ring. Nothing tooo Big. All coms. To John Duffy, Circus Proprietor, Coslow, Ireland. (The Stage, 31 Jan 1918, p 19) 1919 “Wanted, Artists in all lines for John Duffy and Sons’ Big Circus to commence Easter Monday. Good Novelty Acts required. All coms. To John Duffy, Circus Proprietor, Church St., Limmerick. (The Stage, 23 Jan 1919). “Wanted, Good Ground Acts and Aerials, also Bandsmen, to open April 21, 1919. Duffy, Circus, Naas, Kildare, Ireland (The Stage, 20 March 1919, p 22) 1920 “Wanted, for Tenting, Ireland, 1920, for John Duffy and Son’s Big Show Circus. Artists in all lines. Good ground and Aerial Acts. To commence Easter Monday. John Duffy, Circus Farm, Halfway House, Waterford, Ireland. (The Stage, 8 Jan 1920, p 29) “Wanted, Circus Artists for John Duffy and Sons, tenting Ireland. Com. Easter Mond. One or two good Acts to complete programme. Anything that can be done in a circus ring. John Duffy, Circus Farm, Halfway House, Waterford. (The Stage, 26 Feb 1920) 1921 Wanted, Few useful Ground and Aerial Acts, open at once. Wire, Duffy, Circus, Thursday, Kells: Friday, Bailieborough: Saturday, Shercock (tenting, Ireland). (The Stage, 28 April 1921) Wanted Few Useful Grounds Acts, Rider with own horse. Write or wire Duffy, Circus, Wed., Downpatrick (21 Aug 1921) |
| 1923 “I got a bill of Duffy and McClean's Circus for 1923 from Margaret McCarthy and it brought back memories of those days. I was with John Duffy and Sons' that year and the two somehow met in Donaghadee and put up in the same tober, but John Duffy got the crowds at both the day show and the night show.” (John Moriarty’s Circus Memories) |
|
1924
Duffy
and McLeans Circus and Wild
West Show
Gort - June 24
Loughrea - June 25 Athenry - June 26 Galway - June 27 Headford - June 28 Ballinrose - June 30 Circus Troup of Cowboys
and Australian Bush Girls (Connacht
Tribune, June 21,
1924)
|
|
1925
John
Duffy & Sons' Wild West
Rodeo and Big Circus
Castlebar - August 20
Claremorris - August 21 Tuam - August 22 Galway - August 24 Mr. John Duffy Himself (picture) Splendid Rodeo Circus Troupe. Droves of Horses and Ponies, 100 of a Staff, 50 Artistes. Never a Show like this before. Indians, Cowboys, Cowgirls, Zulus, Cowboys' Band. Procession 1 o'clock Performances - 3 and 8 o'clock. Prices 1/-, 1/6 and 2/4. The Great Circus is Lighted Throughout by Electricity (Connacht Tribune, August 15, 1925) |
| 1926 “At Moate Circuit Court Judge Wakely awarded James Duffy £36 for the cutting of the tails and mains of fourteen circus horses at Athlone (The Irish Times, 8 July 1926) |
| 1927 At Gaunt Street, Belfast: James Duffy Circus (Merry Go Round) The John Duffy & Sons' "Wild Australia".The Largest and Grandest Circus in Ireland (picture). Will Perform at: Gort - June 18
(Connacht Tribune,
June 18, 2927)Galway - June 20 Tuam - June 21 Claremorris - June 22 Ballinrobe - June 23 Castlebar - June 24 Westport - June 25 |
| 1944 From an interview with John Duffy . . . “The proprietor, John Duffy, his two sons and his three grandchildren form the mainstay of “the greatest show touring Ireland”. John Duffy had an accident in his early circus days, when he played as clown and contortionist, and now retired from the ring, having almost reached his three score and ten years, is carrying on the work of his grandfather, James Patrick Duffy. James Patrick, a shoemaker from Denmark Street, Dublin before he took to the circus, was the founder of the present outfit. He ran away from home to join a circus, and after marrying, went to England, where after many years of practice, became a trapeze artist, and also did a bearer act, that is, supporting his family on his back. His wife became a tight-rope walker, and as was natural, all his family took to the circus also. He returned to Ireland, started up on his own and Duffy’s Circus has been running ever since. Now, with John Duffy, his two sons, John Jr, clown and contortionist, and James, horsetrainer, equestrian, director and tent master, and his grandson, John James, son of John Jr., champion jockey act rider, and his granddaughters Squibbs and Lily, both tight rope performers, who also cycle and skip on the tight wire, the future of Duffys in Duffy’s Circus is assured . . . (see full article: When Wagons Roll, The Irish Times, 13 May 1944, also full page article Life under the Big Top in Times Pictorial, 13 May 1940) “Mr. John Duffy, the well-known circus proprietor, died on Monday at his winter quarters in Dunmanway, Co. Cork. He was nearly 70 years of age. He leaves two sons – Messrs. John and James Duffy – and three grandchildren” (The Irish Times, 8 Nov 1944) |
| 1954 “Circus prepares for its 80th season on the road . . “Every year since 1875, from early April until late September, Duffy’s Circus has been travelling the roads, visiting dozens of towns and villages in a circular tour of the country . . . . (see full page article, Irish Times Pictorial, 27 Nov 1954) |
| 1956 John Duffy died suddenly at his winter headquarters in Dunmanway, aged 55 (a day before his birthday). He and his brother James had run the circus together, with John taking care of the executive side. (see Death of Irish Circus Executor, The Irish Times, 3 Nov, 1956, p 9) |
| 1972 Mrs. Lena Duffy died in August. |
| 1973 Mr. James Duffy, aged 56, died in Richmond Hospital, Dublin and was buried in the family plot in Dogheda Cemetary. (see Head of Circus Family Dies, The Irish Times, 1 Jan 1973, p 17) |
Publications &
Articles
|
| LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
CENTER RING - THE IRISH CIRUS For the past three centuries Duffy's Circus has been amazing audiences throughout Ireland. A Dublin shoemaker, Patrick James Duffy developed a love for foreign circuses visiting Ireland. After learning various circus skills he became a famous acrobat and his son John started his own circus, the John Duffy Circus. John had three sons, John, Tom and James. It was from James that Duffy's Circus developed into what it is today. By the 1870s the Duffy family had an extremely large circus with upward of 250 horses. Throughout the years the circus has had many names with the changing of generations, the Duffy Family Circus and Duffy's National Circus, but has always used the Duffy name. In 1917 James operated a circus with his sister, the Duffy and McClean's Circus, for a few years before the James Duffy & Sons Circus was born. James died in 1959 and the circus continued to be operated by his wife Lena and sons Jimmy, Johnny, Billy, Tom, Arthur, Freddy and Albert and daughter Lena. In 1971 Lena died, and the circus was carried on by her sons as the Duffy Brothers Circus. By 1979, another generation of Duffys had been groomed for the ring. Theirs was an extremely large family, so Tom and son David decided to branch out with their own circus. In 1982 the Duffy Brothers Circus ceased and Tom Duffy's Circus has been carrying on the Duffy name ever since. Over the last 23 years Tom Duffy's Circus has grown into one of Europe's finest and most respected circuses. So, as horses are hitched to the wagons, the clowns and the bands readied, raise a loud cheer when the Irish circus wagon passes by. It is part of a long Irish connection to the smell of grease paint, and the roar of the crowd. (by Brian Witt: Emerald Reflections Online: July 2003, Shamrock Club of Wisconsin) |
|
The following came in the form of a
small booklet that my cousin sent me. If anyone knows the original
source, please let me know so I can give the appropriate credit.
Sixty-Seven Years a Showman! A True Life Story of the World Famous JOHN DUFFY THE IRISH
BARNUM
THE BIGGEST NAME EVER IN IRISH CIRCUS ORGANISATION is that of JOHN DUFFY, born in acaravan at OVA, near Cambridge on October 1, 1875. There were seven in the family — three boys and four girls, named John, James and Thomas; Phillis, Lizzie, Caroline and Margaret. I was the eldest of the family, and when I was born my parents who were circus artistes, were out of work and had no money. When I came to town one of the artistes Sam Poluski managed to scrape up sixpence and he walked five miles to Cambridge to buy a feeding bottle for me. Sam Poluski and his brother Will (who were apprentices of my grandfather) in later years turned out to be two of London’s greatest comedians, and commanded a big salary. My father was a first-class performer, and played all the big circuses of Europe and America. He was a wonderful tumbler, posterer and balancer, always featuring the balancing of eleven half pint glasses on his forehead, whilst passing his body through hoops. This I have never seen any other artiste do with such ease, grace and skill since or before. My mother (Annie Silvester) was also a first-class performer and was known in the circus profession as a first-class contortionist. My grandfather was known to be the funniest and cleverest tumbling clown that ever entered any circus ring. His smart acrobatics on short stilts were the envy of all other clowns, and he was so funny and so clever, that when he came to Ireland (before I was born) with Bourne and Maces’ Circus the best of the clowns were so jealous of him that they all sent in a protest to the management stating if Jack Silvester remained on the show they would all leave. The proprietors however gave a deaf ear to this by stating to all concerned that they would not discharge Jack Silvester. My grandfather told the proprietors that he would go as he could find work where they could not. After touring Ireland eight weeks he decided to pack up his traps and go. It was shortly after this that my father got married. I was the first child born and was very delicate indeed. I was only one month in my mothers care, when I was passed over to my grandmother Mrs. John Silvester. This dear old soul had a terrible time with me and spent many sleepless nights watching me. When I grew up my grandmother told me that at one period I was in a trance for one week and the doctors could no nothing for me. Each doctor she took me to, told her to take the child home and let him die happy, but the old lady said “He is not going to die.” Very often she told me that all the food I had for one week was the moistening of my lips with brandy by a feather, so evidently my dear old grandmother was somewhat cleverer than the doctors. My grand parents reared me until I was seven years of age. I was then quite a healthy and burly little boy. The day came when my father and mother came and took me away. I never knew my parents as father and mother: I used to call my mother Annie and my father Jack: but when I came home this practice soon changed, as with my grandparents there was no check on me. My grand parents were very kind to me, and the parting came as a heavy blow to my dear old granny. My dear mother did all in her power to console me, but it was useless. She took me to town and bought me new clothes. It was all a waste of time. I sorely wanted to be back with my grandmother. This in the town of Windsor, on a very large fair ground where there must have been at least 200 caravans, mother, father and I went to bed but I, for one, did not go to sleep and about 2 o’clock in the morning when everyone on the fair ground was fast asleep I gathered my belongings and made off through that sea of caravans, and found my grandmother the one I loved so dear. At 8 o’clock next morning my mother came for me, and I remember her having a great laugh. After that, my grand parents and my parents went travelling in different directions. I did not see my grand parents again until I was about thirteen years of age. My mother was a very clever circus artiste and was not long in teaching me the business. At the age of ten, I made my first appearance as a performer with my talented father artiste, at Manley’s Circus on a piece of ground near the Elephant and Castle, London. Our joint salaries was to the amount of 35/- weekly and we lived in our caravan at Hackney Wick, on the Marshes — what a fight we used to have to get our last bus home, there used to be hundreds of people waiting and rushing for the last bus. My father was no small man and he used to pick me up in his arms and push me in first and he was always sure to get a seat for us both. This was in the depth of winter 1886. When the Spring of 1887 arrived, we arranged with Campbell and Kaley’s Circus for a seasons tour at a salary of £3 per weeks (which was considered very good at that time). We left the Campbell and Kaley Circus in July 1887 — and went to the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey). My father and his friend Johnny Turner who was also a good performer started what is known in the circus profession as “Pitching” and they could hold a crowd for two hours, whilst they were pitching. I was performing in what was known as “Free and Easy” and we all three did very well having been there for 6 weeks. My father and myself had saved the large sum of £260. We then returned to Hackney Wick where my father made what was known as a tumbling show and between the two of us we could do five or six acts, and my sister Phyllis learned to dance the tight rope and my two younger brothers Thomas and James to take part in acrobatics. We travelled around the fairs of England, Scotland and Wales and did very fine business. My father was a great rambler never stopping too long in one place or country; he was a lover of strange faces. In the year of 1891 and I was at the age of 16 my father decided to come to Ireland, to the land of his parents birth, as both his father and mother belong to Domnick Street, Dublin. My grandfather Patrick James Duffy, boot and shoe maker by trade, and my great grandfather were born in Dublin (in the year 1797). My grandfather married a lady called Bridget Galy from the same locality. Shortly after their marriage they went with a circus and it was not long before they were in England among the front rank performers. My father and his brother Christopher always held first-class “top of the Bill” engagements at all the leading Music Halls in the British Isles as contortionists. My father’s sister Maggie was recognised as the best lady high stilt performer in England. Coming back to our arrival in Ireland in the year 1891 with our small show consisting of our own family, we did pretty well. When I was about 23 years of age in the year of 1898 we returned to Scotland where we toured all the principal towns for four years. I got married to my dear wife (whose maiden name was Mary Ellen White) in Edinburgh, in 1901 her people being amusement caterers, shortly after our marriage my father decided again to come to Ireland with our Circus where father was very popular and well liked by the Irish people in every town he visited. The touring season of 1902 was fairly successful with our small circus, although we had a large measure of opposition such as Poole and Boscos’ International Circus, Lloyd’s Mexican Circus, Hanneford’s Canadian Circus and Davis Paragon Circus. Of course having light expenses we came out on top and we pulled into Belfast at the conclusion of the tour for the winter season in a place called Millfield, where we kept our circus open all the winter giving performances every evening and matinees on Saturdays. After the winter circus season we were able to purchase two new living carriages, a beautiful new circus and horse tents. By this time we were getting as big and as famous as any of our competitors, who at one time tried to chase us off the road but failed at each attempt — when we started from Belfast our advance agent got as far as Cavan town, where he happened to meet a very clever and well known advance agent from an other show, who frightened our man to such an extent that he left the horse and van in Cavan town and went home leaving without a moments notice, and in the thick of opposition. Soon on the alert we quickly found another advance agent who didn’t know the county too well but my father knew every town, village and cross roads of Ireland, instructed him and soon we were merrily sailing along with full speed ahead. This was in 1903 and during the tour we visited Coalisland in County Tyrone where a row took place between a local rowdy, and alleged pugilist and my brother-in-law, Arthur Wilson. Arthur gave him the best hammering he ever got. Mill hands coming from their work without even waiting to hear the details started booing and shouting that we would not get out of the town with our lives and threatened to wreck the show. Police were soon on the scene and fully prepared to meet any enemy. When we opened that night we had about 30 horses tied up inside the tent near the entrance, part of our programme that season happened to be a big spectacle entitled the Bear and Sentry and we had plenty of swords, bayonets, rifles and “Props”. My father gave everyone orders to stand by and if we saw the “roughs” advancing we were to defend ourselves and charging on horseback and on foot we had to claim whatever we could and follow up. We only had about 50 patrons as an audience, but we got orders to carry on with the show. The mob started to pelt the caravans with stones, bricks and chimney pots from the Pottery close by, where they had plenty of ammunition. Assuming the jokes had gone far enough the order to charge was given and 20 of us, claimed horses “and we did charge,” and the conflict carried on from 8.30 in the evening until 10.30 that night when the parish priest came amongst the crowd and forced them to stop “the dirty work.” We had no performance that evening and the police remained all night with us on the grounds and believe me dear readers the trouble was no fault of the circus folk. When we arrived in Cookstown the next morning, the top line on the contents bill of the local newspapers read THE BATTLE OF COALISLAND
Gallant Circus Cavalry Charge One reporter went as far as to say that the circus folk deserve the “V.C.” to stand up against such a mob, so you see what the circus folk have to put up with at times through no fault of their own. There was one thing we cherished with pride, we had the sympathy and support of the general public in every town we visited afterwards and we travelled the rest of the country for the rest of the season in peace. At the end of the tour we made Belfast our headquarters where we joined the great Christmas fair held annually on the Chapel Fields for one week, where we performed as often as 24 times a day. This was considered very hard work for a circus company of artistes. After the Christmas carnival we all set to work as carpenters and painters under my fathers command, building what is known as a portable theatre, 100 feet long and 40 feet wide, well seated and illuminated and capable of holding 1000 persons. We had by this time a very talented dramatic company of actors and actresses with our own family as well playing small parts, and I, John Duffy as the principal comedian. I made a big success with the Belfast public. We ran the show for four or five months and managed to get over the winter nicely. In the month of March 1904 we packed the theatre away to prepare the circus for the summer tour we were now able to engage and pay larger salaries to better artistes, and bigger sets for our circus than in previous years. We had a very comfortable tour with the circus in the 1904 season having very few mishaps. Rollo the King of the High Rope was top of the bill and leading attraction on a very attractive programme of several first class acts. At the end of the 1904 tour we returned to Belfast where we opened our portable threatre in Dee Street off the Newtownards Road and enjoyed a most successful winters business there. When the Spring of 1905 arrived, like all the circus folk, the call of the open road claimed us once more. Nothing apart from the ordinary happened in 1905 and in the winter season we took our portable threatre from Belfast to Newtownards, in the street County Down, where we had a big successful run of three winters the people of Ards of all denominations holding us in very high esteem. Each succeeding Spring we closed our threatre and took to the roads with our circus. Back to the theatre for the winter season we removed from Newtownards to Drogheda, playing Drogheda for the winter season, then off again for the summer season of 1909. This was our most sorrowful season having the misfortune to lose our dear father who passed away in the Cottage Hospital at Drogheda on October 4, 1909. It was a sad blow to all our family. A good father to all of us, he was highly respected by all who knew him wherever he went. So ended this forlorn year of 1909. With this sad loss, from the year of 1909 to the year of 1913 my mother ran the show and all the family stuck to her like glue. Our dear mother passed away at Newtownards on the 17th July, 1913 and we brought the remains to Drogheda to be along side our father, and so came the end of another sad season. In the summer season of 1914 all the family decided to take out the circus on tour and call it the Duffy Family Circus, and toured it in this way for three seasons, at the end of the third season it was decided to dissolve partnership and the summer of 1917 saw three circuses made out of one, i.e. Duffy and McLean, Wilson and Duffy, and John Duffy and Sons called “the Irish Barnum” and it has been known as such ever since. In 1916 I engaged an advance agent know as Fred Lewis the highest paid front man in the business. At one time our greatest road enemy, he became a life long friend. I rightly styled him the “Napoleon of the Irish Roads” he has served me for 27 years as my agent general. The John Duffy and Sons 1917 season presented a very “strong” programme and the running expenses high, so by the time the season terminated and we returned home, the profits were small although we were very proud of one thing that was, we had left a good name behind us, which has stood to us ever since. Since 1917 we have annually engaged and toured the cream of the circus profession, including the Stith Riffi troup of Arabs. Also Japanese, Panzers Midgets, Flying Reos, Bouncing Windors, Olsen’s Sea Lions, The Cromwells Gymnasts, Toyo Ando Japanese Family, La Velma, world’s greatest thought reader, Samson world’s strongest man, The Great Hillards, Kaye’s Lions and many more big acts too numerous to mention. The year of 1935 was another sad year for me and my family — in the passing of my dear wife at Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, on August 12th where the people of Dungannon and all Ireland sympathised with us in our great loss, the people of the town said the funeral cortege was the largest they had ever seen there, and those at the graveside included Joseph Steward, M.P. for Armagh, Mr. Beatty, Town Clerk and many business people of all denominations from the Six Counties were represented as well as show people from the four corners of Ireland. My two sons John and James are very hard workers, and I owe a large amount of my success to their labours. My grandchildren, John, James, Annie, Lily and May Marion are all very clever artistes so you see were are able to conduct this huge circus on sound business principles and in a first class manner and make it a big happy family for one and all. Now dear readers, I think I will draw my story to a close. WISHING YOU EVERY SUCCESS IN LIFE, COUPLED WITH HEALTH, WEALTH AND HAPPINESS, AND MAY LONG LIVE THE CIRCUS TO ENTERTAIN YOU ONE AND ALL, IS THE SINCERE WISH OF THE FATHER OF THE ROADS AND DOYEN OF THE CIRCUS — JOHN DUFFY THE IRISH BARNUM. |
Related Websites Tom Duffys Circus "A most interesting 50 years old show business letter has recently come to light in Fethard, Written on Duffy Circus headed notepaper to Jimmy O’Shea, St. Patrick’s Place. The letter asks if Jimmy is interested in renewing his touring contract with the circus Band for the 1949 season. A brilliant trumpet player Jimmy who had played with the No 1 Army Band, had, with brother Paud and Billy Mackey, also from Fethard, toured previously with the circus. Jimmy with his father and five brothers had played with the old Fethard Confraternity Brass Band played with the Twilight Serenaders Dance Band prior to emigrating to England where we are glad to report he is still going strong. Duffy’s Circus was that time under the directorship of John and James Duffy, sons of the legendary showman John Duffy senior" Fethard & Killusty Newsletter '98 (includes a copy of the letter) |
Victorian Arena Details regarding the Duffy Circus family (and other circus people) can be found in circus historian John Turner's Victorian Arena, Vol. 1 and 2: available from Joyland Books |
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