Circus in the Park
Saturday, 24 May 10:30am-5pm
Sunday, 25 May 10:30am-5:30pm
We are so excited to offer two days of Circus in the Park this year as part of our Mayhem Youth Circus Festival! Circus in the Park will take place in and around our big top tent at Father Burke Park in Galway's Westend.
Most events are offered free of charge thanks to our funding partners Arts Council Ireland, Galway City Council, Galway County Council, Erasmus+, Leargas, Claddagh Credit Union, ISACS and Creative Ireland.
Please note: Photography and videography will be taken on-site. If you wish for you and your child not to be photographed, please talk to the team on the day.
Fr Burke Park is located on Father Griffin Road opposite the fire station. No on-site parking is available, but city centre parking is located nearby. Fr Burke park is accessible with certain restrictions: the park is accessible by paved areas however all events and workshops will take place on the grassy areas. There will be accessible toilets on site. Bins will be provided, but please separate your rubbish as best you can.
Mixed Circus Skills Workshops
Saturday 24 May from 2:30-5pm
Sunday 25 May at 11am-12pm, 12:30-1:30pm, 2:15-3:15pm, 3:45-4:45pm
FREE | All ages welcome
Join us for free drop-in workshops in our big top tent and try your hand at some basic circus skills such as juggling, hula hoop and more! All ages and abilities welcome.
Aerial Cocoon Taster Workshops
Sunday 25 May
11am-12pm, 12:30-1:30pm, 2:15-3:15pm, 3:45-4:45pm
FREE | All ages welcome
Ever dreamed of floating in the air? Come try the aerial cocoon on our outdoor aerial rig! This gentle and beautiful circus skill lets you wrap, twist and relax in mid-air.
The free taster aerial cocoon workshops will run in 15-minute increments. Each workshop slot requires a 10-minute warm-up and allows for 15 minutes trying out the cocoon. Sign up for the aerial workshops will be done on-site.
Tape That! - Performances by Hands Down Circus
Sunday, 25 May
12-12:30pm and 3:15-3:45pm
FREE | All ages welcome
Tape That is a charming, light-hearted, non-verbal acrobatic duet. Two performers construct a visual world using colourful tape, object manipulation and partner acrobatics. Using creative elements of physical theatre, a simple roll of tape transforms from DJ decks to a spyglass, and is stretched to create physical
borders which the performers must work together to navigate. Tape That is a playful exploration and re-imagination of the world we live in today; and when challenges present themselves, just how many problems can be fixed with a few rolls of duct tape?
About Hands Down Circus
Hands Down Circus is made up of Carys Nicholls and Graham Milligan. They aspire to create and perform original Circus Theatre using a unique blend of partner acrobatics, physical theatre, and prop manipulation, to invoke an environment of curiosity and absurdity, often using relatable or mundane objects.
Frankie Magilligan's Comedy Juggling Show
Sunday, 25 May
1:30-2:05pm and 4:45-5:20pm
FREE | All ages welcome
Tall Paul - best known to many as Frankie Magilligan - began his love affair with Circus last century and is a master of juggling, unicycling, stilt walking, diabolo and beyond - all served up with a generous drizzle of banter and tomfoolery!
Paul has a range of walkabout characters, but Frankie Magiligan will be joining us for the Mayhem Youth Circus Festival! Hailing from the North Antrim Coast, Frankie has packed his lunch box, filled his flask and given his teeth an extra special polish! Don’t miss out on his mesmerising mix of manipulation and equilibristics, (that’s juggling to you and me), the likes of which you’re not likely to see again … unless he survives! Frankie presents a solo show filled with comedy, juggling, music and the worlds only known GOLD giraffe unicycle!
Other Workshops
We are also offering a range of other workshops that cost €5 each and require pre-booking. You can book these workshops at the link below.
Acrobatics workshop with Hands Down Circus
Saturday, 24 May 10:30am-12pm
For adults 18+
Hat Juggling with Paul Quate
Saturday, 24 May
2:30-3:30pm for youth 8-11 years
4-5pm for youth 12-17 years
Funambulism Workshops
Saturday, 24 May
11am-1pm for youth 12-17 years
3-5pm for adults 18+
Sunday 25 May
10:30am-12pm for adults 18+
1-2:30pm for youth 12-17 years
