In the charming town of Killorglin, County Kerry, Ireland, a special tradition happens every August. The Puck Fair, Ireland’s oldest festival, brings a wild goat from the nearby mountains. It’s crowned “King Puck” in a unique ceremony.
A young local schoolgirl, the “Queen of Puck”, does the crowning. This tradition is a big deal in the town.
For three days, from August 10-12, the goat is the king from a high stand. On the last day, King Puck goes back to his mountain home. The Puck Fair has been around since 1613, thanks to a charter from King James I.
But its true beginnings are a mystery. Some say the goat warned the town of an army in the 17th century. This was during Oliver Cromwell’s conquest of Ireland.
Key Takeaways
- The Puck Fair is Ireland’s oldest festival, held every year in Killorglin, County Kerry.
- A wild goat is caught, crowned “King Puck”, and shown in town for three days.
- The festival’s history goes back to a 1613 charter from King James I.
- Legends say the festival started because a goat warned the town of an invading army.
- The Puck Fair mixes history, tradition, and community fun.
The Puck Fair: Ireland’s Oldest Festival
The Puck Fair history goes way back to Ireland’s ancient times. It’s thought to have started from the Celtic festival of Lughnasa, marking the harvest season’s start. The goat was seen as a symbol of fertility back then.
This suggests the Puck Fair might have begun before Christianity came to Ireland. It was a time to celebrate the seasons and the harvest’s plenty.
In 1931, Margaret Murray linked the Puck Fair to her witch-cult theory. She believed it was a pre-Christian festival for the Horned God. But today, experts say her ideas were off-base. The fair’s true beginnings are still a mystery, full of Irish myths and history.
Recently, the Puck Fair has faced some backlash from animal rights groups. They were upset about the goat being shown for three days. So, the organizers cut the time the goat is shown to just a few hours. This way, they keep the tradition but also protect the animal’s welfare.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a big hurdle for the Puck Fair, leading to its cancellation in 2020 and 2021. But the community’s strength and will prevailed. The fair came back in 2022, proving its lasting importance to Killorglin and its people.
Festivities and Traditions at the Puck Fair
The Puck Fair is a three-day festival filled with lively events and long-standing traditions. The first day, known as “Gathering Day”, features the coronation ceremony. Here, the “Queen of Puck” crowns a wild mountain goat as “King Puck”. The Queen and King Puck then parade through the streets of Killorglin, symbolically granting the ‘Freedom of the Town’ for the duration of the fair. Another highlight is the renowned horse fair, the oldest continually running event of its kind in Ireland.
The second day, called “Fair Day”, sees the streets transformed into a bustling marketplace. Street vendors sell everything from horse tack and local crafts to fashion and fresh produce. As per tradition, a cattle fair also takes place on this day. Throughout the festival, visitors are treated to 36 hours of free entertainment. This includes traditional Irish music and dance sessions, live open-air concerts, storytelling, workshops, street theatre, busking, face painting, puppet shows, a pet show, and even a bonny baby contest.
The final day, “The Scattering”, includes a closing parade that leads King Puck back to his mountain home. This is followed by a spectacular fireworks display to mark the end of the festivities. The pubs in Killorglin are granted a special legal exception to stay open until 3:00 AM during the Puck Fair. This adds to the lively and convivial atmosphere that attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. They come to experience this unique blend of history, tradition, and merriment.
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