Funfair Exhibition in ‘Winterval’

A showcase of an entire twinkling and movement-filled display of model fairground rides and circuses hosted by collector Pat Flynn will feature at “Winterval” in Waterford.

The free exhibition features every possible miniature fairground ride, ticket booth, set of festoon lighting, merry-go-round and even tiny bumper cars and candy floss sitting on a twinkly table doling out tinny musical notes. Its creator and collector is Pat Flynn from Waterford City, who has been collecting and building model fairground pieces and model circus items along with Corgi and Diecast models since his childhood. 

Pat’s personal collection includes some unique and very rare pieces and models featuring an entire range of rare and beautiful circuses including Chipperfield’s Circus, French Circus Pinder, and Irish circuses Fossett's, Duffy’s and Gerbola.  

The exhibition will be open each day of the Winterval Festival which takes place on weekends (Fri to Sun) from November 17th to December 15th, from which date it will take place daily until December 23rd. Entry to the exhibition will be free of charge, and Pat will be on-site to answer any questions and offer festival-goers some information about his world of circuses and funfairs on display throughout Winterval.

In addition, a full-size live circus will also be on offer at Winterval with the Gerbola Christmas Circus setting up in their heated big top for the duration of the festival. At a more intimate big top in the heart of the city centre, “A Narnia Christmas” show will be hosted at Jenkin’s Lane.

Funfair rides for all ages will also be on offer with the Port of Waterford Eye offering a bird’s-eye view of the city’s majestic quayside and twinkling lights. The vintage carousel will be at John Robert’s Square along with the Helter Skelter, and the Winterval Mini Express Train will offer visitors to the festival a chance to see it all aboard one of its adorable carriages.

Winterval is supported by Waterford City and County Council as well as a host of other local, national and international businesses, all of whom have a keen interest in Waterford and the Southeast region, including Bausch + Lomb as returning sponsors of the re-imagined Winterval Illuminates light show; Glenveagh Homes have taken a two-year named sponsorship of the Glenveagh Christmas Market at Winterval; Expressway returns as the festival's official transport partners, as do City Square Shopping Centre as sponsors of Santa's Mini Express Train; and the Port of Waterford are named sponsors of the Port of Waterford Eye. 

The full Winterval Festival programme is available to view and book online at www.winterval.ie.