Some think they are a bit of craic – but to many who work in and around Patrick Street, and those who have to endure the ear-splitting noise from their speakers, Patrick Street’s ‘Funky Leprechauns’ are an attraction that Cork could do without.
Now the City Council has removed the bus shelter where they have performed for years – and the city councillor who spearheaded legislation to regularise busking in the city centre says they should abide by the rules or cease performing. CorkBeo understands that city officials have asked Gardai to look into enforcing the busking by-laws in Cork city centre, and especially the rules on volume and the one that limits performers to two hours only per day in the one spot.
But the duo, Gerry Barry and his nephew, Damian Barry, told CorkBeo they will stand their ground and claim they are appreciated by locals and tourists alike.
Gerard Barry told CorkBeo: “I’ve been brought to court several times. I’ve had several €350 fines and I’ve not paid one yet. I suppose I could end up in jail.”
“I won’t go easy. They’ll have to handcuff me.” The pair were back on Patrick St again this past weekend, performing against a self-made canvas backdrop in the spot that had, up until recently, had the ‘Leprechaun Bus Stop’. That has been removed as part of public realm changes in the city.
Gerard claimed he was performing on Patrick St long before there was any talk of by-laws and he has been told by fans that they don’t want to see him gone.
“I’ve been here 40 years – why should I give up my livelihood because there’s a few by-laws coming in? It’s not something I personally believe in. I don’t actually believe they have the right to make such a law,” he said. When asked if he sticks to the two-hour per day limit, he said: “I do not”.
The Leprechauns of Patrick Street
CorkBeo understands that Cork City Council has been fielding a deluge of complaints about the noise and the commotion caused by the Funky Leprechauns, who play pop hits, including songs by Michael Jackson, while banging giant wooden spoons together.
A fixture on Patrick Street for years – and according to local social media chat, either ‘a bit of fun’ or ‘insanely annoying’ – the Leprechauns have repeatedly fallen foul of the busking by-laws that came into effect in the summer of 2024.
Cllr Oliver Moran, one of the prime movers in efforts to regulate busking in Cork city – to protect the public from overly loud or annoying PA systems while encouraging talented performers – actually made mention of ‘men dressed as leprechauns who torture the public’ when the bye-laws were discussed by the council.
In March of last year, the leprechauns on Patrick Street were before Cork District Court where they were given four months to comply with the city’s new busking by-laws.
Under the by-laws, all street performers require a permit and are allowed to perform across 23 designated locations in the city, for a maximum of two hours at any one spot. After two hours have elapsed, a busker must then move at least 50 metres from their original spot if they want to continue performing. They must also keep at least three metres clear of entrances to businesses and homes. Backing tracks are permitted, but performers’ sound levels must remain below 75dB in the surrounding area.
Rebel Brass – regulars on the streets of Cork city with a great, big sound
One Leesider who works close to Brown Thomas told CorkBeo: “We absolutely dread seeing the Leprechauns set up, it’s hours of terrible music, banging and shouting at an ear-splitting volume. Our customers are always asking if there isn’t anything we can do to stop it, we just want some peace, we have to work here and it’s not fair.”
Green Party Councillor Oliver Moran told CorkBeo that he had been aware of an ‘“uptick in complaints about the Leprechauns in the last week. It’s obvious to everyone that they aren’t abiding by the rules. They’ve been in court several times now, and penalties in excess of the standard fines were issued. However, they have vowed to carry on.”
Cllr Moran said the by-laws are not there to act as a killjoy measures – but to encourage talented performers and ensure that noise is kept to a resonable level.
“The Leprechauns are a particular case,” he said.
“In the broader picture, the bye-laws are providing a level playing field for performers of all kinds. There are performers still who, while they aren’t a nuisance, are performing outside of the rules. I recently met with permit-carrying street performers. They expressed frustration at that and how makes it difficult at times for everyone to operate together.”
Cork City Council told CorkBeo it had issued 15 fixed payment notices for breach of the busking bylaws since they were introduced, saying these figures show “ongoing implementation and enforcement”.
A spokesperson said: “The Busking Byelaws allow performers to operate between 10am and 10pm and although local authority staff may not be available out of normal hours, Gardai are.”
And under the Street Performer Byelaws 2024, a member of An Garda Síochána is included in the definition of an “authorised person”, meaning Gardaí can act under the byelaws (eg: issue a direction to move on, demand name/address in relevant circumstances).”