Travelling funfairs in Ireland

Travelling funfairs in Ireland from days gone by, and still today, are traditional itinerant entertainments, often family-run, offering rides like carousels and games such as hook-a-duck and coconut shies, which have been inscribed on the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Businesses like Cullens Funfairs operating since 1860, and The Vintage Carousel Company, founded in the early 1900s, provide a glimpse into this enduring tradition of funfairs that still serve as a core attraction for local fairs and community events.


What were they;

 

Itinerant Entertainments:

These are travelling fairs that move from town to town, providing entertainment in different locations. 

 

Family-Run Businesses:

Many funfairs have been family-run for generations, passing down the tradition through the years. 

Traditional Rides & Games:

You can find classic attractions such as:

Rides: Carousels, dodgem tracks, swing boats, and tea cup rides. 

 

Games: Coconut shies, hook-a-duck, carnival darts, and cactus toss. 

 

Food Stalls: Candyfloss and popcorn stalls. 

 

Their cultural significance: 

Intangible Cultural Heritage:

The tradition of Irish travelling circuses and funfairs was inscribed on the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021, acknowledging their importance to Irish society.

Community Events:

Funfairs often form the central attraction around which local fairs, festivals, and community events are organised.

 

Examples of operators:

 

Cullens Funfairs:

A family-run business operating since at least 1860, it is considered the largest travelling fair in Ireland and has been providing entertainment for generations. 

Established in the early 1900s, this company offers vintage rides and classic attractions, providing a direct link to the past. 

Fox McFaddens Funfairs:

A contemporary operator that still provides a variety of fairground rides and attractions for festivals and corporate clients, maintaining the standards of a traditional funfair. 

The Bird Family:

The Bird family are 'Show People'. They move from town to town across the country, selling rides like the dodgems and the merry go round at their travelling fairground. The Fairground Community, sometimes known as ‘Showpeople’, have a long tradition of working the Fairs, many of which are hundreds of years old. Fairground families are constantly on the move, erecting and pulling down as they go from one site to another throughout the year.

Toons and Balloons:

This company offers vintage funfair rides and carnival game stalls for hire across Ireland, bringing the nostalgic charm to events.