Puck Fair

The Sam Maguire Cup will also make an appearance at this year's opening parade on Wednesday.

“The water is changed on a regular basis and a local farmer sources the best of heather,” Mr Falvey told. As well as being fed, the goat is inoculated. It comes as animal rights activists and others expressed concern for the goat whose coronation takes place on Wednesday in the midst of a heatwave.

The wild puck goat at this year's Puck Fair in Killorglin may be given a fan to cool him down, the fair's spokesperson has said.

The puck is looked after by a team of goat catchers. The at least 400-year-old event at the foothills of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks is back this year after a Covid-induced hiatus. "We will make sure we will look after the goat," Mr Falvey said.

Kerry festival under fire for treatment of goat. 7-8-2022: Goat catcher Pat Cahill and his son goat warrior Matthew Expand.

The goat has been looked after since it was caught by goat-catcher Pat Cahill about a month ago. We will do whatever it takes to ensure the goat is safe.” During this the goat will be hoisted to his platform over the town where he will remain insitu for the three-day festival.

Animal rights campaigners voice concern over the fate of King Puck overseeing the fair in sunkissed Killorglin.

The puck is looked after by a team of goat catchers. “The water is changed on a regular basis and a local farmer sources the best of heather,” Mr Falvey said, adding a fan will be on board the cage this year. “A shaggy coat” insulated and protected him, he added.

Traditionally the wild goat spends three days and three nights on a tall stand overlooking the town of Killorglin.

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The chairman of the committee behind the annual Puck Fair in Killorglin, Co Kerry has defended the 400+ year King Puck tradition, and has insisted that the ...

The President revealed that a vet has 'never' suspended the hoisting of a goat up due to medical reasons. Responding to Caitriona's issues, Declan said: 'We have been running Puck Fair in Killorglin for over 200 years, we are very proud of the traditions that we uphold. He said: 'We will not allow the goat to be mistreated. If so she should report it to the authorities, not Joe Duffy— Frank Dempsey (@Kildareman2) #liveline August 9, 2022 On the opening day of the festival the chosen goat or 'King Puck' is enthroned on a stand in the town square. Declan noted that in all his life, as far down as when he was a young lad, he has never heard of a goat being mistreated. He has been retrieved from the mountain - a fine herd of goats were seen, and they were corralled into a corner, and a fine specimen of a goat has been selected. The Killorglin vet stated that the act could end with fatal consequences for the wild animal. Met Eireann has warned that extreme heat will arrive during the course of the festival. It boggles the mind, especially with a heat warning in place'— Liveline (@rteliveline) Declan said: 'The goat is absolutely fine. I am talking about animal welfare legislation that we all have to adhere to.'

The festival is held every year in Killorglin, Co Kerry. Here are four things to know if it's your first time encountering Puck Fair.

It is on this day that the goat is returned to his home in the mountains. “My favourite part of Puck Fair is watching the parade on the first day when the queen crowns her king,” she said in her essay. The goat is brought to the Queen of the Puck who crowns him ‘King Puck’, signalling the start of the three-day celebrations. This year’s Puck Fair Queen is sixth-class student, Alesha from Scoil Mhuir who wrote about her memories of attending the fair with her granda. This was when King James I granted a charter recognising the fair’s legal status, but it is believed to have been in existence long before this. In Irish, Puck Fair is Aonach an Phoic, meaning “fair of the he-goat”. Ahead of the festival, a male goat is captured before he is hoisted above attendees in the town square.