Circus Hoffman extends a tour of Ireland at a time when no Irish circus companies are putting on shows.
Hoffman, the German named, British-based circus, is in Ireland for a stint of shows over the Christmas period. The company decided to extend their tour when invited to appear at the Cork Opera House for a week. There are no Irish circuses performing over the Christmas period and into the new year. The fear for Irish circus companies is that most people will only attend one circus a year, so the people who go to Circus Hoffman will not go to the circus during the summer months.
Ringmaster Chris Barltrop explains the ownership of the Hoffman circus, which he says is still owned by a German man, Mr Hoffman, who lives in Austria. The circus is now run by an English family whose name was originally McEvoy, proving a direct Irish connection.
They're more Irish than the Fossetts. The Fossetts came from England and this family who are running the circus and who use the name of Hoffman, because they got the circus from Mr Hoffman, they are in fact Irish.
Chris Barltrop joined Hoffman in 1973. He recalls that the original signage, posters and advertising for the circus were all in German. This signage is still in use.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 29 January 1981. The reporter is Andrew Kelly.
