Kerry fair is king of festivals for famed Cork singer Seán Ó Sé who will perform there for 50th time
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Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Irish Independent
Puck Goat is ready to reign in Kerry and is ‘in safe heads'
Gathering Day is Sunday, August 10, and the festival runs until Tuesday, August 12, continuing a tradition that is over 400 years in the making. One of the last tasks is the selection of the wild goat to be crowned King Puck, and he is now ready to reign according to festival organisers. While this tradition has often being criticised by animal rights groups, festival organisers are adamant the goat is well looked after – as he as always been. In recent years the tradition has changed and instead of what was once a full reign for three days high on the stand over Killorglin, the goat now spends a few hours on his perch on the first day and returns on the last day of the festival. Tomorrow, Sunday, August 10, will the see the coronation of the goat as he is paraded through the town and he will reign over the town for the evening before he is removed to his accommodation. He will return for the dethronement on Tuesday evening – Scattering Day, the final day of Puck Fair, before being released into the wild. 'The goat has been sourced and is in safe hands,' said chairperson Declan Falvey. "He is very healthy and has been checked by the vet. His care is all in accordance with the Department of Agriculture.' He said that the welfare of the goat is always a priority and this will continue. And while festivities centre around two colourful and exciting parades for King Puck, there is a also host of other activities over the three days for all ages and events late into the night. Extensions for the local bars to 3am were initially refused at Killorglin District Court this year but, on appeal, these were granted, maintaining another tradition of Puck Fair. And with everything now ready to go, Killorglin will take centre stage over the coming days. ADVERTISEMENT It kicks off, as is tradition, on Gathering Day with the horse fair which will bring traders from all over the country and, for many, Puck is their annual meeting place. This too is the day King Puck is crowned. A huge parade will make it's way through the town on Sunday evening for the coronation of the goat which will be followed by live music by The Fogues on the main stage. Cromane's Robyn O'Shea has the honour this year of crowning the goat and she is looking forward to welcoming thousands to Killorglin. There is plenty of musical entertainment lined up for the three-day traditional festival on both the main stage and the Library Place venue, as well as in local pubs. This line-up also includes many performances from local talent. Highlights will include Erin's Fury, Jack Keogh and Truly Diverse. Tim O'Shea and Friends, Wild Geese, Paulie O'Brien, Reality Gospel Street Band and Afro Trad Ireland are also on the packed musical programme. Monday will see the annual Fancy Dress parade and Bonny Baby competition – two huge family events. A magic show, circus and puppet show will also provide entertainment throughout the three days for children as well as the funfair which is in town for the festivities. The final day will see the goat dethroned and sent back to the wild and Puck will close once again with a huge and impressive fireworks display over the banks of the Laune. "It is all systems go here in Killorglin," said Declan who adds that Puck is all about meeting up with old friends and welcoming home locals from abroad. "I met a young man last week who lives away with his parents and I asked him what he was most looking forward to at Puck and his reply was 'everything' and that sums up Puck for me.' Full details at www. .
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Irish Independent
Kerry fair is king of festivals for famed Cork singer Seán Ó Sé who will perform there for 50th time
For decades, 'King Puck' has been raised above the town of Killorglin as Seán Ó Sé leads onlookers in a rousing rendition of 'An Poc Ar Buile'.
Extra.ie
06-08-2025
- Extra.ie
Puck Fair chairman details the importance of goat tradition
The Chair of the Puck Fair committee has said the welfare of the goat involved in the fair is 'paramount' as he detailed what to expect ahead of the annual Kerry street festival. Kicking off this Sunday, August 10, and running until Tuesday, August 12 in Killorglin, Declan Falvey said the goat was 'symbolic' and a Pagan ritual used since the inception of the street fair. Historical records show that Puck Fair has been going since 1613, but Mr Falvey said the festival pre-dates beyond that. The Chair of the Puck Fair committee has said the welfare of the goat involved in the fair is 'paramount' as he detailed what to expect ahead of the annual Kerry street festival. Pic: Having been involved with the festival for more than 40 years, Mr Falvey detailed the importance of the festival which he said has become 'more and more of a homecoming' in recent decades. 'For the locals, it's huge,' he confirmed. 'We kinda gauge our year to Before-Puck and After-Puck. It's of huge significance to many in the local economy and around the town. 'It gives people a lift, people look forward to it [and] once it's over, they're down-crested and waiting for the next year.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Puck Fair (@puck_fair) Mr Falvey added that there is a 'great atmosphere' at the festival which includes everything from stalls, a cattle and horse fair, and night-time entertainment. The first evening will finish with a parade, with stalls across the town and nighttime entertainment. The cattle and horse fair both take place on the second day, Monday, with Mr Falvey likening them to Cahiremee and Ballinasloe fairs. 'It's a traditional old fair,' he said. 'They come from all over Ireland. The cattle fair is quite small, now, it's more localised, maybe about ten to 12 cattle dealers.' Prior to 2022, the opening day of the fair saw King Puck enthroned on a stand in the town square, with the goat remaining there for the duration of the festival. Pic: This year will be the fourth consecutive year the King Puck, a goat sourced from the wild, will be suspended in the air for 'just a few hours' on the first and last day. Prior to 2022, the opening day of the fair saw King Puck enthroned on a stand in the town square, with the goat remaining there for the duration of the festival. In 2022, 'due to the unprecedented sunny weather,' the decision was made to bring King Puck down from the hoisted-up cage. The decision came following extensive debate online and on RTÉ Radio 1 show Liveline, with the new tradition that the goat is suspended for a few hours on the first and last day. Speaking to Mr Falvey insisted the goat was 'well looked after' in the lead-up and duration of the festival. 'The goat is sourced — some farmers keep an eye out — they're not always in the mountains, they venture down into our lands,' he explained, 'They have them for a couple of weeks then, just to socialise them, the same as the rest of us need socialising from time-to-time.' On the third day, and following the appropriate checks and inspection from a vet, the goat is re-released back into the wild. 'The welfare of the goat is paramount with us,' Mr Falvey reiterated, 'Because if the goat is not looked after, there's no goat. He's part and parcel of Puck Fair.'
