I came across an advert for “Wombwell’s Royal Menagerie” in an old Western People, dated March 1871 where it stated that this wonderful and extraordinary attraction was calling to Castlebar.
It mentioned that it contained some of the finest specimens of the animal kingdom ever exhibited to the public including: the famous General Tommy Dodd, the renowned Lion King and Prairie Bear Hunter. He’s described as the shortest man in Europe – 30 years of age and only 33 inches high and a native of Foxford. He will perform with Lions, Tigers, Leopards, Wolves, Hyenas, Gorillas, Llamas, Alpaccas, Monkeys and an Umbrella Elephant. The Castlebar Brass Band would provide the entertainment with admission 1s, with children under 12, half-price.
It must have been some spectacle to see such strange animals up close.