Clowns from across world are bound for Downpatrick

Clowns from across world are bound for Downpatrick

16 September 2015

IRELAND’S inaugural International Clown Festival is gearing up for Downpatrick next week.

Running between Wednesday and Saturday, September 23-27, the event has been held in different locations across Europe for many years but this is its first time on these shores.

The clowns will arrive here next Wednesday, with their first job being a netball match with the winners of a primary school clown-themed T-shirt design competition.

Over 40 clowns will be heading into Downpatrick, some coming all the way from America and New Zealand. 

Toto the clown, from Connecticut in the United States, has vast experience, having trained at the world famous Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Clown College and worked for several years with their Red Unit clowns.

Bluey, who comes from New Zealand, made his clown debut at the Royal Albert Hall in London. He has won the prestigious Taffy Memorial Award for best slapstick act and the Barbara Miller Award for ‘Best Qualities of Precision, Attack and Timing’. 

All the way from Norway, Ian ‘Gingernut’ Thom will be performing entertaining puppet shows for the children. 

Joining the clowns from other continents will be local clown talent Silly Tilly from Strangford, a strong force behind bringing the festival here.

From Thursday, September 24 children can come down to St Patrick Square and enjoy the clowning in show from 4pm. Fun with the clowns is not just for the kids, so come to Down Arts Centre on Thursday evening for the hilarious Clown Noir performance.

The Clown Noir ‘Love, Labour, Lost’ story is about a young circus performer Joe Bloodworth, who embarks on a journey to learn all he can about becoming a clown. 

He leaves his Manchester home for the first time and heads to France, in order to study for three years. Once he arrives in this land of cheese, wine and red windmills he makes a solemn promise to his mother to avoid all temptations — but as he’s a clown it soon spirals out of control.

On Friday as a warm-up to the weekend ahead, children can enjoy street entertainment from 3.30pm.

Down Arts Centre will also be clowning about on Friday night as they are hosting a Clown gala show with over 10 different acts for all the family. The show will cater for all ages, consisting of approximately 10 acts and lasting for approximately two hours.

For further information on the Clown Noir performance and the gala show, contact Down Arts Centre on 028 4461 0747.

The main events of the International Clown Festival will be held in St Patrick Square from 12noon to 5pm on Saturday with mini circus rings in English Street and Scotch Street and on Sunday from 1pm when the clowns will parade down Market Street from Down Arts Centre to St Patrick Square. Bring along a picnic to dine with the clowns as they entertain the crowds.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council chairwoman Naomi Bailie said: “It will be a very exciting few days in Downpatrick and I am delighted to welcome international clowns to the town. 

“There will be something for everyone over the course of the festival from gala shows to jugglers, magicians, puppeteers, balloon modellers and much more.

“Everyone enjoys clowning about and this event will be a great opportunity for adults and kids to get into the spirit and ensure they juggle their time to attend this amazing international festival.

“I would encourage businesses to get behind this spectacular new event and decorate their windows with the clown theme.” 

For further information or a free copy of the Festival Flyer, contact Downpatrick Visitor Information Centre on 028 4461 2233. Full event listings are available online at www.newrymournedown.org or www.facebook.com/DownFestivals.