Latest news with #KingPuck
The Journal
5 hours ago
- Climate
- The Journal
Puck Fair goat remained in its cage in today's warm weather
ORGANISERS HAVE INDICATED that the wild mountain goat hoisted to a tall platform at the Puck Fair in Co Kerry was fine today despite warm weather. Organisers said the goat did not need to be removed from its cage before his scheduled exit at 5pm today. The Puck Fair, held in Killorglin, is one of Ireland's oldest festivals. Each year, a goat is crowned King and put on a 50 foot tall platform for 48 hours before being taken down and set free or 'de-throned'. Today at 5pm, King Puck was removed from his cage and dethroned as planned, after serving the traditional 48 hours. Advertisement A representative for the festival said: 'There is a beautiful breeze amidst the sunshine on the streets of the town.' 'King Puck will be dethroned by 5pm today and will go home for a well earned rest after a cracking festival!' the spokesperson added. Today, Killorglin was forecast to reach highs of 21 to 27 degrees. Met Éireann had also forecast light to moderate wind. In 2022, the goat had to be taken down a number of times from the platform due to concerns over its welfare. That festival took place during a heatwave, with a high of 30 degrees recorded. The Department of Agriculture received close to 200 contacts to its Animal Welfare Helpline in relation to the 2022 event. As with previous years, the goat will continue to be overseen and checked by a veterinary surgeon before, during and after his involvement with the fair. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- 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
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- 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
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- 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.'
Irish Independent
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Countdown is on to Ireland's oldest and most unique festival Kerry's Puck Fair
Puck Fair, which runs annually on August 10th, 11th and 12th, can trace its roots back to the ancient Pagan festival of Lughnasa. Among the most well-known traditions of the festival is the crowning of a mountain goat as 'King Puck' each year, his coronation being officiated by the Queen of Puck, a local schoolgirl. This year the honour goes to Robyn O'Shea, pupil at Scoil Réalt na Mara in neighbouring Cromane. 'I have had a lifelong love for the history of Puck Fair and have enjoyed celebrating the festival with my family and friends down through the years. It's the atmosphere that grips me the most, with the town coming alive and celebrating amidst all the music playing and the traditions. I am looking forward to welcoming all those to the town who decide to come home to celebrate with us and also all those who come to visit to experience first hand what this great festival has to offer.' Speaking at the festival's launch, newly elected Kerry TD, Michael Cahill said that he is absolutely delighted to launch Puck Fair 2025. 'Puck Fair, Aonach an Phoic has been celebrated for hundreds of years in this fantastic part of Kerry, where I come from, people set their calendars by Puck. All other events happen either before or after Puck, that is the importance of it,' said Deputy Cahill. "Thousands of people arrive in Killorglin from every corner of the Globe every 10th, 11th and 12th of August annually, much thanks goes to the fantastic work put in by the local organising committee, in cooperation with An Garda Síochána.' Chairperson of the organising committee, Declan Falvey, highlighted the importance of the festival to the town 'Puck Fair is Ireland's oldest festival, and one of the most anticipated events in the Killorglin calendar annually. This year, as always, we have a stellar line up of musicians and activities, so look forward to welcoming crowds from far and wide to Killorglin over the three days of the festival.' This year's festival will also include a fantastic line-up of Irish talent, with musical acts and performances which will cater to audiences of all tastes and ages. Headline acts for this year's festival, which are all free to attend, include the supercharged musical act, The Fogues, the Celtic Irish Rock group Erin's Fury, the long established South West of Ireland Group Truly Diverse, and Jack Keogh. The full list of events for the festival is at
