I was delighted to attend the recent Street Performance World Championship festival held in Merrion Square, from 18th until 21st June. The range of quirky artists and the atmosphere was just electric.

Along with my friend on a lovely sunny afternoon, we just soaked up all the action. The day was thoroughly enjoyable and the crowd was a great mix of young and old. The effort that was put into the festival was just outstanding.

For just four magical days in June, the best contortionists, jugglers, magicians, break-dancers, and comedians in the world descended on Dublin city to battle it out for the most coveted title in street performance.

Stand-out acts for me included Titan, the awesome dancing robot who stood in the middle of the square at 8 feet, 2 inches tall weighing a massive 635 pounds! Also, Bendy Em, a tiny female contortionist, who for a finale to her act somehow squeezed herself into a little perspex box balanced on a seven-foot scaffold, or Mr Toons, pictured above, a lunatic Dane with an act based around climbing in and out of a giant balloon.

First prize at the end of the day went to the USA Break Dancers, a hugely impressive and professional group of performers from The Bronx in New York

Admission was free for all and main sponsors AIB once again made this lovely family festival a superb event.