DublinTown Profiles – Aerial Cirque
Written by Have you ever wanted to feel like you could fly? Well we may have found you the right place. Who knew this hidden gem was behind a normal door on Exchequer street. It may even make you cancel your gym membership.
We’ve seen it on TV, at Cirque de Soliel and in the circus, but would you believe that you can now try aerial classes with your friends in Dublin City Centre?! Intrigued? We thought so. On behalf of all thrill seekers we were only too delighted to catch up with Ria from Aerial Cirque, 10 Exchequer Street. Behind an average door, with probably the smallest doorbell business sign in the world, we discovered a hidden Dublin studio. Colourful silk sheets hung from high ceilings in front of a backdrop of romantic arched stained glass windows.
Aerial Cirque offers aerial classes where you learn to climb and hang from silk ropes, develop a strong core and overall body tone by learning the graceful combination of dance and athleticism while flying in the air. Aerial Cirque teaches adult and children’s classes. We met up with founder Ria Murphy, an international aerial performer, to find out more.
How did you discover aerial performance?
I always loved theatre. I am a full-time actress at The Factory in Dublin and have worked as a TV/Film producer, producing documentaries and travel shows broadcasting on Discovery, Travel Channel and HBO-Latin America to name a few, so I was drawn to the creativity of aerial performances.
I fell in love with the aerial arts after seeing a Cirque du Soleil production in Las Vegas, sought out classes and started training and performing with Aerial Revolution in San Diego and throughout California before returning back to Ireland. I saw a niche in the market so set up in Dublin’s Creative Quarter.
Who are your classes aimed at?
You can come alone to the studio for classes or we offer various workshops for birthday parties, hen parties, activity groups, and team building events. We also schedule our own workshops monthly which you can attend alone or in a group. The group sessions are really popular for team building.
We have kids’ classes at the weekends. Classes are 5 weeks and there are normally only 8-10 per class where I teach a variety of skills. Hanging from the silks exercises the whole body, in particular the core. Some clients have cancelled their gym memberships and focused on aerial arts because they see more benefits and also the classes are very social.
Aside from the classes, we provide stunning aerial performances for corporate events, night clubs, runways, weddings, and more. At Christmas we did an amazing 1920’s themed corporate event from the ceiling of The Round Room at The Mansion House. I love these events when I have full control over the creative elements. We were able to drink champagne while on the trapeze and drape the silks in diamonds. We also opened for Culture Night for the first time in 2015 and held sold-out parent and child workshops.
You not only work in the Creative Quarter but you also live in it – where are your favourite places to hang out?
I love the coffee from Kaph. The service is so friendly and they now know me and know my order. You’ll find a lot of that in the Creative Quarter, it is like a small neighbourhood where everyone knows each other. I am in Fallon & Byrne nearly every day and enjoy the Drury Buildings for a casual drink. I also pop into Article in Powerscourt or Industry & Co when buying bits and pieces for the studio.
What are your plans for Aerial Cirque in the future?
I plan on teaching aerial yoga classes in the near future. Watch this space!
