Collection was lifelong work of late Duffy’s legend Jimmy Noonan, aka Rainbow the Clown
A collection of clown memorabilia aims to highlight Ireland’s long circus tradition.
The exhibition focuses on the collection of James ‘Jimmy’ Noonan, who was known and loved as Rainbow the Clown in Tom Duffy’s Circus for many decades.
The Cork-based performer was hailed as “a true showman” and was part of the circus experience for generations of Irish children.
Mr Noonan adored circus life, and was remarkably knowledgeable about Irish circus history and the great characters it produced.
In 2018, he was part of the Duffy’s Circus family who received a Silver Clown award at the 7th New Generation Monte Carlo Festival.
Duffy’s won that and five other awards for their Wheel of Death presentation, and were invited by Princess Stephanie of Monaco to appear in the main show.
Mr Noonan died in October, 2023, and his collection passed to the Atkins family in Dunmanway, west Cork.
Over his lifetime, he had collected virtually everything associated with clowns, from outfits to photos and figurines to circus posters. His figurine collection eventually grew to include over 600 porcelain and ceramic clowns.
Some of the items he collected were over 100 years old.
Clowns are proud of their unique outfits and their performance routines, and it is considered unforgivable for one to copy another’s act or costume.
Mr Noonan’s Rainbow the Clown character became one of the most famous in Europe.
