Circus child baptised

A baptism with a difference took place last weekend when the child of a circus family was welcomed into the Catholic community.

Isabella Gerbola, was born on New Year’s Day, and a ceremony took place at the Circus Gerbola venue at Fairgreen, Naas, on Sunday afternoon, February 13.

Isabella is the daughter of Mikey and Tara Gerbola, who live near Navan, County Meath, and whose circus opened last Wednesday and runs until Sunday (February 20).

Mikey is a clown in the circus and Tara is a trapeze artist. They have two other children 6 year old Blake and Michael (4).

“We are very strong Catholics and it is part of our history and tradition to have a newly born child blessed at the circus venue when the birth occurs,” dad Mikey told the Leinster Leader.

Little Isabella was actually one of the first babies to be born in 2011 when her mother Tara gave birth while en route to the Coombe Hospital in the early hours of January 1.

“Isabella was actually born in the jeep as we were on our way to hospital. We diverted to Blanchardstown Hospital, which was the nearest hospital and later went to the Coombe,” recalled Mikey.

Eight generations of the Gerbola family have performed in the family circus dating back to the 1800s and Circus Gerbola first hit the road a decade ago.