Latest news with #PuckFair
Irish Independent
2 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. .
Extra.ie
5 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
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Tommy Conlon: Turning keys to the Kingdom
To solve that pesky problem with the goat, maybe they should put Jack O'Connor up on the platform at Puck Fair next Sunday. And polish the crown to a shine while they're at it. Then hail the king.
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
RTÉ News
24-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
'Native game': Hope builds in Kerry ahead of All-Ireland
Ahead of the All-Ireland SFC final between Kerry and Donegal on Sunday, Paschal Sheehy examines the building anticipation and trepidation that's manifesting across the kingdom. The centuries-old Puck Fair takes place in Killorglin, Co Kerry, every year on 10, 11 and 12 August. The first day of the fair is known, for obvious reasons, as 'The Gathering'. This year, though, 'The Gathering' has begun early. In Falvey's Bar on Lower Bridge Street in Killorglin, poets, punters and philosophers have been gathering this week ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland football final. There is a tradition here: before every All-Ireland final that Kerry contests, local GAA supporter Barry Harmon writes a song to get behind the team. The 2025 offering has arrived. Mr Harmon gives his audience a teaser with the first verse and chorus: "Down here in the Co Kerry, I've often heard it told our love for gaelic football sure it never will go cold. "We have a great tradition, we love our native game. "So off to Dublin we will go, proud of our Kerry name. "So put on your Kerry colours and your hats of green and gold, and off to Croker we will go, let's hope the Sam to hold." They like their traditional music in Killorglin, but they much prefer the football. And they are good practitioners too here: the local Laune Rangers club has tasted success at county, Munster and All-Ireland level. Heading into Sunday's All-Ireland final against Donegal, there was an almost worrying bullishness among the crowd in Falvey's Bar. "I think the team are great - they're energetic and they're hungry. They really want it," Geraldine O'Sullivan declared. "We've been knocked down so many times since the start of this championship and we've proved we can do it, and we will do it on Sunday," she added. Declan Falvey agreed, adding: "I think we'll manage it again this time." Mr Falvey said: "Although I'm sure Jimmy's winning matches will have a trick up his sleeve. "But the new rules suit Kerry and I think David [Clifford] and Seanie [O'Shea] will have the freedom of the park and no matter what scheme Donegal come up with, we'll master it. "I think Kerry are going to win it by about three points." The cheering had just about abated and the foundations of the bar had re-settled when Breeda Falvey chimed in. "I feel very confident," Ms Falvey proclaimed. ""There's a new energy to the Kerry team, there's a hunger and there's a beautiful, free-flowing style of football. It's brilliant to see," she added. Ms Falvey said: "I'm delighted with the new rules, as Declan says, because there's no mucking around anymore. "They're like gazelles and once the boys get on a roll, it's very hard to stop them." Hold on a minute - free-flowing football? Does nobody in Falvey's remember Jim McGuinness's tactical takedown of raging hot favourites Dublin in that now-famous All-Ireland semi-final of 2014 or how Donegal - literally - put a stop to the gallop of the Dublin runners, thereby dismantling their gameplan? All this was McGuinness at his most strategic. Kerry beware! Some 50km west of Killorglin, Cumann Peile Daingean Uí Chúis has become one of Kerry's key nurseries, developing talented underage footballers who go on to play senior for the county. At the club's pitch, Páirc An Ághasaigh, Johnny B Brosnan is putting the under-12 boys and girls through their paces. Among these players, there is a healthy respect for All-Ireland opponents Donegal and a welcome for the new rules, which have allowed Kerry's footballers to express themselves again. "I think Kerry have a great chance on Sunday - they've been playing great with these new rules. I think they suit them very well," goalkeeper Cian Murphy said. "They could beat Donegal if they're on a great day, but if they're on a bad day it'll be a close game," the 11-year-old added. Ten-year old Fiadh Ní Chárthaigh is not short of an opinion - or confidence - either. "I think they've got a really good chance," she said. "They've got some really good players and if they keep Michael Murphy quiet they'll be doing well, I'd say," she added. Shane O'Connor, 12, said he gives Kerry a very good chance. "They've a strong team. They're playing very well this year, gelling well, playing good," he said, adding: "So, you'd have to favour them." On the sideline furthest from the town, a cluster of adults monitor progress. An unprecedented six footballers from Cumann Peile Daingean Uí Chúis have made the Kerry team and extended panel for Sunday's All-Ireland final - three O'Sullivans, Tom, Barry Dan and Tom Leo O'Sullivan, and three Geaneys Paul, Conor and Dylan Geaney. Sean O'Sullivan is father of Kerry defender Tom O'Sullivan. He is also Chair of Cumann Peile Daingean Uí Chúis - Dingle GAA Club. "It's historic really. I don't think it ever happened in the club," Mr O'Sullivan said. He added: "We can go back to the 40s when there was four, but there's six now on the panel and it's just incredible for a small club. "We're a very small club - maybe 120 members here - and it's just incredible really." Kay Uí Shúilleabháin is Tom Leo O'Sullivan's mother. Tom Leo joined the extended Kerry training panel this year. "We feel very proud to have six players from our small club going to Croke Park on Sunday," Uí Shúilleabháin said, adding that "hopefully, the day will go their way". "We'll call it a special day, a good day out," she said. Publican Paul Geaney shares his name with his Kerry footballer son. "The GAA is our life. Everything stops when we get to a final - it's number one, and that's it," Mr Geaney said. Further west on the Corca Dhuibhne peninsula, the under 14s of Cumann Caide na Gaeltachta prepared to take on Glenbeigh in Gallarus, their home pitch. The width of the pitch is restricted by the proximity of the wild Atlantic on one side and the swirling south westerly winds that blow in from it create a challenge that few visiting teams seem to be able to master. The dimensions of the pitch might make point taking look relatively easy, but scores are hard-earned in Gallarus. Like all other GAA clubs, underage players at the club have been shown the way forward by the generation that went before them like Kerry player and Gaeltacht club member, Brian Ó Beaglaoich. As they prepared for their match with Glenbeigh, the Gaeltacht under 14s were confident of Kerry victory on Sunday. Muiris Ó'Suilleabháin, 13, said he thought Kerry "will win because they have greater squad depth and experience". "I don't think Donegal have anyone to stop David Clifford," Mr Ó'Suilleabháin said. Seamus Ó'Suilleabháin, 11, admires Brian Ó'Beaglaoich as a role model. "I think it's very special that Brian Ó'Beaglaoich is playing with Kerry because he has to be one of the best and worked very hard to get up to that top level," he said. Club Chair Dara Ó'Cinnéide, who has won and lost All-Ireland finals, is wary of the threats posed by Donegal. Mr Ó'Cinnéide, forensic in his analysis of football, said: "It's probably a clash of two different traditions, two different philosophies, two different ways at looking at football, and not as dissimilar as they might believe themselves to be. "I'd give [Kerry] a good 50/50 chance, whatever that means. "It's impossible really to call. Obviously, my heart says Kerry, but there are so many fires to be put out from a Donegal point of view as well. "They have speed all over the pitch, they have threats all over the pitch. "But I trust our boys to come up with the solutions." Back at Falvey's Bar in Killorglin, it was the turn of the poets. Edso Crowley - a part local businessman, part raconteur and part philosopher – read his poem 'The Game Is Not O'er Till It's Won' aloud. "There's a county that's known as the kingdom for reasons apparent to all. "It's magical mystical beauty, the world and all else does enthrall." But then Mr Crowley sprinkled the crowd with a dash of caution, to dampen their enthusiasm. "So Kerry, great kingdom of Kerry. "Be thankful for all your great sons. "Be sure not to take them for granted. "For the game is not o'er till its won." Surely, Kerry have been in too many All-Ireland finals to allow themselves to be sucker-punched.
