Around 30 animal-rights protesters failed to deter the hundreds of circus lovers, who streamed into the big top under the illuminated letters of "Il Florilegio" last night.
The most controversial show in town unveiled its menagerie of performers in Booterstown yesterday evening, at the start of a six-week run in Dublin and fivemonth tour of Ireland.
The Italian circus, regarded by many as the finest touring circus in Europe, was the subject of a motion before Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council on Monday night (the council is renting the Booterstown site to the circus).
The motion sought to ban any circus using animal acts from council property. The motion was narrowly defeated. And so the rhinoceros, the horses, the four elephants and camels were allowed to take their place in the big top for the 2 1/2-hour show. The animals passed all checks by Department of Agriculture vets during the week.
Among those looking forward to the show was the Glynn family, who had driven from Kilcara, Co Donegal, yesterday. "We are absolutely delighted we are going to see the show," said Sinead Glynn (24). She did not share the concerns of those from the Alliance for Animal Rights. "No, I've heard the arguments and I think they are from extremists focusing on one circus which has no problems with animals' conditions.".
However, many motorists passing on the Rock Road were hooting their horns in support of the protesters. Ms Bernie Wright, chairwoman of Alliance for Animal Rights, was among those handing out leaflets and holding banners with "Elephants chained for 23 hours a day" and "Stop this shame" emblazoned on them.
The protesters have expressed concern about the cramped conditions in which the animals are kept. "It's always worth protesting," said Ms Wright, when asked why they were continuing after the animals had passed veterinary checks.
She said there would be a protest on as many nights as possible when Il Florilegio was in Dublin. "Our ultimate aim is to stop all circuses using animals. If we change just 10 people's minds it will be worth it."
The circus's owner, Mr Livio Togni, told The Irish Times through an interpreter that the protests upset him. He said the protesters were ill-informed.
"If I thought they were right," he said, "I would be ashamed. I would not work with animals if I thought I was hurting them."
