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Circuses in Ireland

The number of animal circuses in Ireland, and the species they use, varies from year to year, sometimes even within the touring season (which usually lasts from February to December). We will keep the information on this website as updated as possible.

Most of these circuses also visit Northern Ireland at some point during the circus season.

Circuses in Ireland - 2009

In 2009, the following Irish-based circuses were all on tour:

  1. Tom Duffy’s Circus
  2. Circus Gerbola
  3. Great European Circus (previously known as Royal Russian Circus in 2007)
  4. Circus New York (previously known as Circus Chicago in 2008 and Electrifying Dreamland in 2007)
  5. Circus Sydney
  6. Circus Vegas

Fossett’s Circus has been animal-free since 2008

 

Number of animals in all Irish circuses in 2008

CAPS estimates that these circuses have a total of 121 animals – 47 of wild species, 74 of domestic species.

 

Investigation

In 2006 CAPS carried out a study of animal circuses in Ireland. As well as producing two reports – a 35-page detailed report and a 12-page summary – we also produced a 12-minute video exposing how the animals are housed, transported and treated in the ring.

Number of animals in all Irish circuses in 2006

These circuses had a total of 102 animals – 43 of wild/exotic species, 59 of domestic species

Wild / exotic animals:   Domestic animals:  
Alligators 4 Dogs 19
Camels 7 Donkeys 2
Elephants: Asian 3 Horses and ponies 38
Elephants: African 3    
Giraffe 1    
Hippopotamus 1    
Llamas 10    
Ostrich 1    
Rhinoceros 1    
Snakes 4    
Tigers 4    
Wallabies 4    

Facts

Factsheets are available on each of the animal circuses, detailing what animals they have and information on problems relating to animal welfare, health and safety, etc.