August University of Galway launches new oral history archive of Irish show people

A new digital oral history archive has been launched at University of Galway celebrating the lives, experiences, and legacy of Irish show people involved in variety, fit ups, travelling cinemas, fairgrounds, circus, sideshows and more.

The project is a partnership between University of Galway Library, the Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network (ISACS), The Irish Showmen’s Guild, and Archives Ireland and is being created to preserve and share the cultural heritage of Ireland’s travelling show community.

The archive, ‘Voices of the Showmen’, was officially launched at a special event held on the University campus today as part of Heritage Week 2025.

The launch event showcased the development of the Irish Showman’s Archive, a digital repository that documents and preserves the stories, experiences, and cultural contributions of Ireland’s travelling show families over the past two centuries. The archive features recorded interviews, family histories, and first-hand accounts spanning generations of travelling show life.

As part of the event, Harry McFadden and Marion Daniels King, both of whom come from generations of travelling show families, took part in a public conversation with University Archivist Dr Barry Houlihan, offering personal insight into the world of travelling fairs.

ISACS were recently awarded funding through the Heritage Council of Ireland towards the realisation of the oral history archive, which will be made available online by University of Galway Library later this year.

            Lucy Medlycott, Director of ISACS Network, said: “Working together with the Irish Showmen’s Guild and University of Galway Library towards preserving and recording the history and legacy of the Showmen’s community for future generations has been an absolute honour and a privilege. Through doing this project we are aiming to gather and share the knowledge across generations and between communities highlighting the pioneering work that the Showmen have delivered within the Irish arts world for over two centuries.”

            Monica Crump, University Librarian, said: "The University of Galway Library holds many archival collections relating to the performing arts, which are a fantastic source of inspiration, teaching and research.  I am delighted that our collections will now include the important contribution of Irish showmen to Irish society and culture, through the stories, memories and experiences of Irish show people recorded in these oral histories."

            David Duffy, Executive member, Irish Showmen’s Guild, said: “On behalf of the Irish Showmen’s Guild, we are delighted and honoured to be here at University of Galway in what we hope is the first steps in documenting Irish Show people’s history and contribution to entertaining Irish families for centuries and their role in Irish heritage, culture and social history.”

            Dr Barry Houlihan, Archivist at University of Galway Library, said: “The lives and craft of the Irish show people are an integral part of our national culture and history. By recording and preserving these oral histories of the families and artists who have made this their life's work, we are sharing a rich and important heritage for the future.”

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