What our readers say ....
Leanne Bickerdike
Hello all, lovely hearing all of your stories. I am from the Bickerdike family, who had their own Fit Ups in the 40s/50s. Plus various clown performers with Fossett’s and Duffy’s
I have currently been working on a project interviewing show people, performers or anyone with a connection to show person life. I would love to contact some of you in regard to this. Best, Leanne Bickerdike.
Peter Wallace
A travelling show visited the Multyfarnham area of Westmeath a few times in the late 1950s. The principals were a man named Kilduff (Dick ?) who played a piano accordion and a Scotsman named Bobby McDonald who acted well and played the violin. I recall a magician and a lady named “Jasmin”. McDonald had a daughter named Yvonne. I heard they moved to Timahoe. Any info on them ?
Adrian Conti
A friend of mine, Martin Pierce, 79 was a child performer in his family fit up show many years ago. He says his father’s name was Pierce, and his mother’s O’Neil, which was the name the show toured under.
He’s sadly now got dementia, so the clock is ticking, but he’s told me some amazing stories. At the age of 14 he went to the UK with an agent in Hampstead Heath and performed in uk theatres with big stars, the wages being sent to his parents in Ireland.
Does any one recall the O’Neil or Pierce names in fit ups? I’d love to find out more about this show.
I’ve really enjoyed this article, thanks.
Vannessa
Hi I am looking to find out some information regarding a roadshow that visited Donabate between 1948 and 1950.I dont much about except it put on a play called ‘the white sisters ‘and’ murder in the red barn’ I would love to find out what the name od this roadshow was
Gerry Costello (Web Master)
HI Vanessa, here in Skehana in the 50’s and early 60’s the Hayes Family Roadshow used to visit here almost annually. As they used to set up right beside my home place I really got to know them very well. There was Michael John, Frank, Lawrence, Martha & Eileen. Now they used to perform the plays that you mention above. Going on their ages at the time they must have all passed away at this stage. I know that Lawrence lived in Kilconnell, Co Galway in the 80’s but I have no idea if he had family there. They did travel extensively around the country during their time on the road and did cover come of the east coast but I cant say if they are the roadshow you are thinking about. Do let me know if you find out more.
Gerry
Maurice Lyons
How wonderful to read this , I was born in a caravan of a picture show in Kiskeam Co Cork we toured with our picture show and some side shows up until 1961 when the television took over so this article brings back many memories
Gerry Costello (Web Master)
Maurice, great to hear from you. I remember a Ronald Lyons Wagon visit a small site beside my home and we enjoyed many films while they stayed around. I do believe they were the Mullins family who had an accident or a fire to be exact
with their own set-up and being a relation of the Lyons family were given the wagon to get them back on the road again. While they were here in Skehana both Sally & Marie attended Garbally National School as part of their education. I also understand that Sally married into the Duffy Circus Family
They Mullins family were the last road show to ever visit the village.
Gerry
Frank Riggs
Hi I toured with Harry McFadden show in the early 60s. Harry was the best funny man i ever seen. I remember Harry jr when just a toddler and his sisters Sylvea. Thelma. and their mum Eileen and their Gran Mrs Mirth, Gregory, Sonny, Milda and
even uncle Sam and George snr. and jr.
How i loved the Summer seasons in Bundoran and Salthill.beside the old hanger. I loved the old stage. the booth. with the big sally heater burning on a cold night
OUR THEATRE WAS WELL HEATED, SEATED AND COMFORTABLE.
I'd do it all again.
Rose Wilders
Hi Gerry,
I picked up your card this week at the showmen talk in Galway. I'd love to add to your website some of my own family history and pictures.
Thanks Rose Wilders
Gerry Costello (Web Master)
Hi Rose, that would be great. I will gladly add them to the site.
You can email them to me at this address and i will download and add to
the site. Hope you like the site and please encourage anyone
you know to send material along. I am delighted you have made contact
and do please keep in touch. Best regards,
Gerry
Michael Hayes
What a great story. Frank Hayes was my father who passed away in 1977. My Uncle Michael John passed in 1988 and my Aunt, Martha Hayes just in 2007. Eileen is my mother and still going strong at 81. I used to love hearing their stories. I also remember the McFaddens, Mullens and Lyons shows
Gerry Costello (Web Master)
Michael, many thanks for your post. It is great to hear from the Hayes family as they were very good friends with my family also. I also remember Lawrence too. He seemed to direct all operations at the time.
I can well remember your dad as he was very fond of us children at the time and used to bring us in and show us films after school on the way home at 3.00. He once showed us a film of his wedding to your
mum. I think it was done in Kilkea but I may be wrong.
Gerry
Thelma Fox McFadden
Hi my dad is Harry McFadden (88 since 18/3) and my mum Eileen (nee Mirth). They have some amazing stories to recall and a wealth of information of this timeframe. This should be recorded and I would like to start doing this. I am now I the funfair business and it’s the start of our touring season but I hope to start putting something together as this is a vital part of irish heritage with little information on record. We have two living legends and their stories should be preserved. I agree totally and will help you in whatever way I can. It would be a pleasure to be part of this project.
Tony Byrne
Hi , my folks toured with mc faddens in the 60,s
My dad was tony glass and mother joan , they both sang, and did varitiey plays, i remmber jimmy mc fadden and phillis, and their kids victor and pamella, i have some photos my dad left, andd would love to see more from those days if any one has some , maybe start a blog
David Mullins
Hi my name is David Mullins I was born in 1961 on a traveling road show So I just got the tail end of those times My father Tommy Mullins was born in 1922 also on a traveling road show My mother Vera was one of the fore mentioned McCormack family My wife also comes from that background
We still travel all around Ireland only now it’s a fun fair And yes people are still happy to see the show arriving in their town or village So things haven’t really changed all that much
Gerry Costello (Web Master)
David, thanks for taking the time to post. They were wonderful times and we would love to know more about the life on the road and how life was lived by the people who made the shows possible. Education must have been difficult. I encourage you to add your memories to our site.
Gerry
Anita Hawkes
Hi there,
I’m researching the Golden Era of the Gazetts. Gazett was their show name, their real news being Dinnage. They started as a travelling carnival in the early 1900 but then added cinema in 1910. They eventually settled in Rathkeale, Co Limerick where they built the 450 seater Central cinema. Their family descendants and I would love to get any info/memories that anyone has if their earlier years🙏
Our FB page is here
https://www.facebook.com/The-Golden-Era-of-the-Gazett-travelling-showcinema-807399492968063/
Anabelle Trill
Hi you all, what a fab site. Takes me back to my young days as my family were involved in the business until the late 1950's. I remember it was a tough life especially for us children back in those days. I will always remember the harsh winters and we always got chilblains in the damp winters. I could stay reading and reminiscing here for ever. Thanks for the opportunity to drop into the past.
Thanks a lot from a happy Ansbelle
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