One of the first things our founders recognised was the healing power of circus:- The way that learning and performing circus overcomes barriers between individuals from all backgrounds. The fact that, to be good at circus, the main ingredient is co-operation and harmony.

humble beginnings meeting on a patch of grass every Saturday, the Youth Circus now has over one hundred members, still meeting on Saturdays, but now in a state of the art circus building. There are three sessions each week of the school year where members learn how to juggle, walk on stilts, perform acrobatic manoeuvres, walk the tightwire and perform on the trapeze.

Despite all the learning, there is a large social element to the Youth Circus, reflecting the fact that it provides a unique opportunity for many young people to meet up with others from different communities.

This quality of circus to provide an equal platform for people regardless of where they come from has long been evident in traditional circus with its international artists - a diversity reflected in the tutor team for the School where we have teachers from Northern Ireland working alongside people from Sweden, Germany, Australia, England, Republic of Ireland, United States and Canada. All the teachers used by the School are trained in circus techniques, First Aid and Child Protection issues.

Throughout the course of the year, there are a number of opportunities provided for members to take part in a range of performances; from circus panto, through to cabaret, through to community festivals.

Every summer the School tries to stage a special event for members. This year it will be a circus camp lasting ten days with an outdoor pursuits residential weekend in the middle and a public show at the end of it. Previous years have seen ten-day residentials, tutors brought in from international circus companies and one year, an exchange visit with an American Youth Circus organisation.

At present there is a waiting list to join the Youth Circus, but this is moving all the time, so if you are interested, please contact us and we will put your name on the list:

To discuss your requirements contact info@belfastcircus.org or telephone 02890 236007