The ISACS Network invites you to the launch of ‘Voices of the Showmen’ together with our partners in the Irish Showman’s Guild, the University of Galway Library and Archives Ireland. ‘Voices of the Showmen’ is a unique digital oral history archive that has been supported by the Heritage Council of Ireland.
Members of the Irish travelling show, variety acts, fairgrounds, fit-ups, travelling cinema and classical circus community share their experiences of life across the last century and memories passed down through word of mouth.
Learn about ninety-six-year-old Harry McFaddens story spanning across variety acts to travelling cinema right up to today’s Fox McFadden’s Funfairs. Hear from Eddie Fossett and David Duffy as they each describe life on the road as two distinct and renowned Irish circus families. Discover the stories of Mona Courtney and Queenie McCormick whose families led the way in variety and travelling drama. Explore the tales of Ronnie Lyons, Joe & Thomas Cullen, as well as Sharon & Marie Piper Gregan’s who are long-standing members of the travelling fair.
Having been recognised by the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, we are proud to collectively contribute to the preservation and development of the pioneering work that Showmen have delivered within the Irish arts world for over two centuries.
Speakers:
- Monica Crump – University Librarian, University of Galway
- Lughán Deane – Oral Historian and videographer
- Lucy Medlycott – ISACS project lead
- Thelma Fox McFadden – Irish Showman’s Guild project partner
- Terri McCormick O’Gorman – Irish Showman’s Guild historian
Date: Tuesday August 18th
Time: 11.00am – 12.30pm (tea and coffee will be served at reception)
Venue:THB-G011 Seminar Room, Hardiman Research Building, University of Galway or Online via Zoom (from 11:30am-12:30pm).
Please note: this event was originally scheduled to take place online but is now being hosted in person.
Join us and discover these fascinating histories.
To learn more about this project, see Towards an Irish Showmen’s Archive Report. Discover more events taking place around the country during National Heritage Week.
About the Speakers
Monica Crump is University Librarian at the University of Galway, in which role she is responsible for leading the Library team in the delivery of the Library Strategy: Preserving the Past, Enabling the Future. A particular focus of her current work is the planning of a new Library Building, which will deliver a future-ready learning environment, supporting the University’s Academic Strategy – Teaching and Learning, by enabling students’ collaboration and creativity, supporting their learning success, as well as providing collections and spaces for individual, focussed study. Monica has nearly 30 years’ experience working in higher education, as a librarian and a researcher. She has particular interests in the ever-evolving world of scholarly communications and publishing, as well as the alignment and development of teams to deliver institutional strategic goals and support evolving user needs. Monica holds a B.A. in Computer Science, Linguistics and German (TCD), a Masters in Library and Information Science (UCD), and has completed an evening B.A. in French (University of Galway). She is an elected member of University of Galway’s Governing Authority (Údarás na hOllscoile), Deputy Chair of the Irish Research e-Library IReL Advisory Committee and a member of the LIBER Leadership Programmes Working Group.
Dr Lughán Deane is a researcher and creative practitioner specialising in media and communications. Having previously worked in creative media agencies, he is now an Assistant Lecturer in Creative Media at DkIT.
Lucy Medlycott is the co-founder and director of the Irish Street Arts, Circus & Spectacle Network; an info hub and resource organisation for the development of these collective artforms. She has worked as an artist within these artforms since the early 90s forming the ISACS network over 15 years ago and advocating for their development ever since. She holds a BA (Fine Art – Sculpture) Limerick School of Art & Design. Lucy leads and oversee’s the delivery of this project in partnership with the Irish Showmans Guild. She is deeply passionate about the importance of preserving the legacy of these artforms and growing their recognition.
Thelma Fox McFadden is the director of Fox McFadden Funfairs, one of Ireland’s premier touring funfairs. Born into the entertainment industry, Thelma was raised in the renowned Harry and Eileen (Mirth) McFadden Roadshow, continuing a family tradition that spans five generations and dates back to the 1850s. Today, alongside her husband, Pat Fox, and their children, Lewis and Chloe, she proudly leads the family business, bringing quality entertainment and funfair attractions to communities across Ireland while preserving a rich heritage of showmanship and family values.
Terri McCormick O’Gorman is a member of one of the oldest and arguably the largest of the Irish Showman’s families. For generations Terri’s ancestors have been providing every conceivable form of entertainment throughout the length and breadth of Ireland. This includes fit-ups, travelling cinema, funfairs, stage, showbands and puppetry, with her father Harry McCormick being the last of his kind to work with marionettes. Terri is also connected to the Hayden family whose talent shows unearthed many Irish stars. Terri has worked with many showfamiles including: Duffy’s, Cassely’s, McFadden’s, Hudsons, and Fry. She also regularly works with Funderland, Spring Show and the Holiday and Leisure Fair. Although ‘settled’ for many years she always enjoys catching up when the shows come around where you can often find her in a stall or paybox. Terri has a huge interest in heritage and preserving the history of the showmen for the future generations.