'Funky Leprechaun' tells Cork court he would go to jail rather than comply with busking bylaw

One of two Leprechauns who perform outside Brown Thomas on St Patrick's Street appeared before Cork District Court

'I am not going to be dictated to': Street performer Gerry Barry playing the spoons on St Patrick's Street in Cork. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

Two ‘leprechauns’ have appeared before Cork District Court and been given four months to comply with the city's new busking bylaws.

Street performer Gerry Barry said while he and his nephew, Damian Barry, who perform on St Patrick's Street as the ‘funky leprechauns’, will comply with the court order to get a street performing licence, they still oppose the 2024 regulations, parts of which he said make it almost impossible for acts like theirs.

“I am not a rebel but I am prepared to go to jail over this,” a defiant Gerry Barry said.

“I would see it as a badge of honour. We are being pursued like this because of the views of one or two shops and businesses on St Patrick’s Street.

But I am not going to be dictated to. If I have to give this up, I don’t think I could cope. It would be like my whole life had been cancelled.

New street performing bylaws came into effect in Cork city in May 2024 in a bid to manage the location, duration, and volume of busking in the city.

Mr Barry and his nephew perform outside Brown Thomas on St Patrick’s Street, usually dressed as leprechauns, playing the spoons to backing tracks, and dancing and interacting with pedestrians. They also perform as elves at Christmas.

He said tourists have told tell them they had hoped to see a leprechaun during their visit to Ireland but didn’t think it would have been so easy.

“We are a visual act. It’s hard to move it around after two hours, and set up again," he said.

“Anyone can dress up as a leprechaun but this isn’t about the costume. It’s the concept, and having the confidence to dance on the street, to look directly into a stranger’s face and smile, and have fun with them — to make that special connection.” 

A spokesman for Cork City Council said following the introduction of the bylaws, they first sought voluntary compliance, through non-routine street inspections, and then responding to complaints received from members of the public, businesses, or other performers.  

"There has been substantial compliance with and respect for the bylaws and what they are trying to achieve,” he said.

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“Active street performance can be a vibrant thing in an urban setting, but some performances, at some times in some places, are not consistent with that.” 

As of last month, a total of 84 street performing permits had been issued, with 58 inspections carried out, resulting in the issuing of four fines in relation to performing without a valid permit, with one warning issued to a performer who had not adhered to the correct times and locations.