When champion ball walker P.J. Durney visited Barry

This event in Victorian Barry showcased the best of the best as far as balancing is concerned.

The acrobatic talents of champion ball walker P.J. Durney were appreciated by Victorian locals when the Irish acrobat performed a ‘ball walk’ around the town back in 1909.Irish acrobat P.J. Durney completing his 150 mile ball walk (Image: The Victorian Barry Experience) The art of ‘ball walking’ or ‘globetrotting’ involves an individual balancing on a large globe and walking on top of it.

The act was part of a promotional gig for the opening of the town roller-skating rink on Holton Road.

A Victorian postcard advertising skating (Image: The Victorian Barry Experience) Durney’s feat involved a ball walk spanning from The Bassett Hotel to the Holton Road skating rink which is now the small car park opposite the Vale of Glamorgan offices.

Thankfully, P.J. Durney seemed to avoid Barry’s many hills when entertaining locals!

The event was much anticipated, and thousands lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the Irish ball walker.

At the time, P.J. Durney held a record for a ball walk of 150 Miles which he completed from Dublin to Belfast!A Victorian image of The Bassett Hotel in Barry (Image: he Victorian Barry Experience) Whilst in Barry he walked on three different sized globes.

The following are photos of Victorian Barry.