The Menlough Roadhow Site

The Roadshow site in Menlough Village was the green area beside Thompsons Pub. Back in the day it was a bigger site than it is today and the wall that is now built to the left of the Grotto did not exist then. This gave the Travelling shows more space for their Performance Tents, their wagons and transport Vehicles. Since then a Grotto to Our Lady has been constructed on the side with some shrubbery and trees added. The green is being well kept by the local community and great work and attention to detail is the order of the day.

The Skehana Roadshow Site

The Roadshow site in the Skehana area was located in the townland of Esker right next to where I was born and raised. It is a piece of land that was once acquired by some locals to build a community Hall but local opposition caused the project to never get off the ground. The land was vested in the Catholic Church and is still owned by them to the present day. As you can see from the above photograph it is now a wild, unkempt and ugly site that has become a disgrace to the area and more so to the site owners. Nothing has happened on this site for more than 55 years. The church should really hand back the site to some group or association that would make it look neat and tidy and apologise for the condition it has been left in but I assume they don't even care. It is a shame to see it in its present condition and state.  

The Monivea Roadshow Sites

The Roadshows in Monivea were held mostly on "the green. The  "Green", as its known locally was originaly an area that was used to spread out and dry flax in days of yore. The "Green" today is being well kept by the local community with careful tree planting, shrub, picnic seating and a children's playground. Massive attention to detail, cleanliness and  coordination can be seen here

The Athenry Roadshow Sites

This is the area in Athenry where many roadshows and funfairs set up in the past and particularly around August 15th. better known in the area as "Lady's Day". This event, when people thronged to the holy well located a small bit further out the road towards Esker and Attymon. This area is located to the south side of King John's Castle, which has been restored over the years and this area is now a public park and picnic area. August 15th. became a huge Festival Event in the 1970's and 1980's but to the best of my knowledge is no longer the big event that it used to be.

This is another area in Athenry where the Circus and funfairs set up in the past. It is located less than pne hundred yards out the road towards Esker and Attymon.

Another site where the Circus and funfairs have set up at times is the above site located on your way into Athenry via the Monivea Road. It is on the left hand side of the road next to where the Quinn Family industrial buildings are located.