The ISACS Network are delighted to have partnered with the Irish Showmans Guild, University of Galway Library and Archives Ireland to deliver ‘Voices of the Showmen’. This is an oral history project which sets out to capture the memories, the history and the legacy of show families of Ireland. This project is supported through the Heritage Council of Ireland.
This project came about following a detailed report: Towards an Irish Showmans archive which was developed in 2024. The subsequent findings clearly demonstrated the need for the immediate development of an oral history archive recording the phenomenal stories and memories of this specific and unique community of people.
Since then, we gathered eight oral histories in 2025, and we will continue to gather more thanks to additional funding via the Heritage Council in 2026.
The Show Community incorporates variety, travelling cinema, fit-ups, funfairs, travelling circus, theatrical productions & more. Recognised through the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, they form a crucial part of our culture and identity. The value that the state has bestowed upon protecting the legacy of this community is therefore paramount and this project assists the state to deliver on that objective.
Our first set of oral history recordings captures ninety-four-year-old Harry McFaddens story spanning across variety acts to travelling cinema right up to today’s McFadden’s Funfairs. It captures Eddie Fossett and David Duffy describing some of the tales of life on the road as two distinctly different traditional travelling circus. It also captures the stories of Marion Daniels King, Mona Courtney and Queenie McCormick all between 70 – 90 years old whose families led the way in variety and travelling drama. Finally, it captures Ronnie Lyons, Joe & Thomas Cullen as well as Sharon & Marie Piper’s voices as long-standing members of the travelling fair.
“Working together with the Irish Showmen’s Guild 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;“ says Lucy Medlycott, Director of ISACS Network
“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.” said Dr. Barry Houlihan, Archivist with University of Galway Library
“On behalf of the Irish Showmen’s Guild, we are delighted and honoured to be partnering with the University of Galway Library 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 & social history.” David Duffy, Executive member, Irish Showmen’s Guild
