Circus historian and Puck Fair expert dies, 91

ONE of the country’s foremost authorities on the circus, Patrick (Pa) Houlihan, was laid to rest in his native Killorglin, Co Kerry, on Saturday.

Aged 91, he collected a vast store of memorabilia including old circus posters and photographs, with some dating to the late 19th century, which he displayed in a basement museum at his home.

Also an acknowledged expert on Puck Fair, for which Killorglin is famous, he was for many decades among the local men who ceremoniously hoisted a wild mountain goat, crowned King Puck, onto a platform in the town square at the opening of the three-day fair.

Scores of reporters, photographers and international TV crews covering the fair interviewed the late Mr Houlihan who was always willing to spend time imparting his deep knowledge of the centuries-old event.

He also had an avid interest in the Traveller families who traditionally attended the fair in large numbers. A carpenter by trade, he built a Romany gypsy caravan which still stands outside his home.

However, Mr Houlihan became best known as a circus historian and a leading member of the Circus Association of Ireland.

Apart from the array of colourful posters, a scale model of a horse-drawn circus parade, complete with big top and all carved by himself, took pride of place at his permanent exhibition.

He started collecting posters as a boy, following a visit of the renowned John Duffy Circus to Killorglin, and often told of being awestruck by “the greatest show on earth with acts from all corners of the world”.

“I was instantly smitten and continue to be so 80 years on,” he once said.

His collection has been catalogued by Muckross House, Killarney. Mr Houlihan was a local historian and published a memoir of his life, Cast a Laune Shadow, at the age of 79.

There was a large attendance in St James’ Church, Killorglin, for his requiem Mass on Saturday.

Chief concelebrant Fr Liam O’Brien described him as a humble man of simple faith. And, despite many other interests in his life, he was firstly a family man.

“People would come to him because he had great knowledge,” Fr O’Brien said.

Predeceased by his wife, Mary, Mr Houlihan is survived by his sons, Michael, John, Desmond and Terence, and daughters, Jacinta, Mildred, Bernadette and Louise.