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:
- Tom Duffy’s Circus
- Circus Gerbola
- Great European Circus (previously known as Royal Russian Circus in 2007)
- Circus New York (previously known as Circus Chicago in 2008 and Electrifying Dreamland in 2007)
- Circus Sydney
- 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.