Mickey Marley

Who was Mickey Marley?

Mickey Marley was a street entertainer from Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Born in the Markets area of Belfast, but spending most of his life on the Grosvenor Road in the Falls area of West Belfast, Marley was a common sight in Belfast City Centre for over forty years.

Drawn by his horse Joey, Marley would tour the streets of Belfast with his hobby-horse roundabout. When he retired he sold the roundabout to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.

His local fame was enhanced by a recording of the song "Mickey Marley's Roundabout" which was a popular children's request on BBC Radio Ulster. BBC Northern Ireland also made a documentary on his life. The 1973 film followed Marley's everyday life, against the backdrop of the heavy British Army presence on the streets of Belfast during the early years of the Troubles.

The chorus of Mickey Marley's Roundabout is:

Round and round and up and down,

Through the streets of Belfast town,

All the children laugh and shout,

Here comes Mickey's roundabout.