It’s circus season, and colourful big tops are popping up in towns around Ireland. The Gerbola Circus is preparing to celebrate 25 years in business.
“This May is a big one for us,” says Tara Gerbola. “On May 23rd 25 years ago, we opened in Stradbally. We started off really small, with a credit union loan, and we focus on family, on quality. We pay attention to detail and keep things cosy.”
The Gerbola Circus will be on the road until the end of October, she says. “The season has got longer, and we now do three weeks at Christmas. Prior to Covid there wasn’t a demand.
“Mindsets have changed since Covid. People are looking for more of a family experience. We also get couples, and grandparents bring kids, a lot of that. The old live entertainment is the best.”
Tara and her husband, Mikey, both have the circus in their blood. Tara is from the McFadden family, who had a travelling roadshow, and Mikey’s family has specialised in clowning for generations. Their sons Blake Dean and Michael Cole are now students who help out at weekends and during every holiday, while their 14-year-old daughter, Isabella Alice Mona, performs with her parents.
“We have Brazilian, Colombian, Argentinian staff, plus Irish of course.”
