Achill Island is set to be filled with whoops, cheers and laughter on the weekend of Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6, as world famous Irish women circus artists roll up on the island with Daring Dames - Ireland’s first all-female circus festival.
Clowns, acrobats, and circus cabaret stars are tumbling and twirling throughout the weekend. "It’s a fabulous chance for everyone – of any age - to see some of the best circus around to cheer us all up after the long hard windy winter," says Festival Director Dea Birkett, an Achill resident and founder of Circus250, who created the Festival. "They’ll be old favourites and surprises, like a circus strongwoman who lifts weights, rips up telephone directories, and snaps a pencil between her – well, I’ll keep that a surprise!"
The Daring Dames Festival opens on Saturday, March 5 at 1.30pm at Halla Acla, Achill Sound, with StrongWomen Science – a hilarious circus science show for families which won last year’s prestigious Best Family Event. Afternoon entertainment continues at the Valley House, Achill, with brand new never-seen-before shows in Daring Debuts and new upcoming circus artistes in Daring Developments. At 8.30pm in the evening, the Valley House is hosting an all-female circus cabaret with song and live music. Sunday March 6 is film and talks day, with a spectacular Triple Goddess fire performance at 7pm in the Valley House’s historic courtyard.
All events are free but booking is essential as numbers are limited. Booking on Eventbrite.ie under Daring Dames, Achill and Circus250. Full programme on Facebook @circus250 and www.circus250.org
