Clodagh Finn: Meet Pablo, ‘the flying African’ acrobat from Cork

Cork circus acrobat Pablo Paddington dazzles in the ring. Picture: Courtesy of Anisha Bryan

ROLL up! Roll up! Meet Pablo Paddington, the 19th-century circus acrobat whose many monikers reveal the most intriguing tale.

He was described, by turns, as “a man of colour”, “a Corkonian”, “a performer of Herculean feats” and, in one sensational article, “a woman dressed in male attire”.