The crown is ready for this year’s King Puck and is held here by Kerry Lynch, who is supported by her lady in waiting, Blathnaid Ni Chearnaigh.
By Irish Echo Staff
Killorglin’s Puck Fair in County Kerry is now into its fifth century.
Luckily, the passage of time has not resulted in an absence of goats in the Kingdom.
The fair, known the world over for the crowning of a goat as “King Puck,” is set to run August 10 11 and 12 and a full range of artistic and entertainment events are packing the program.
According to a release detailing this year’s fair, the age-old celebration revolves around the crowning of a wild mountain goat as King in honor of a tradition and heritage that is purported to be ancient, but can only officially be traced back as far back as 1613 when King James I issued a charter granting legal status to the existing fair in Killorglin.
The main coronation ceremony occurs on day one of the festival, otherwise known as “Gathering Day.”
The Queen of Puck, who is traditionally a young schoolgirl from one of the local primary schools, crowns the goat “King Puck.”
This year’s honor has gone to 12-year-old local schoolgirl, Kerry Lynch, from Glounaguillagh National School, Caragh Lake, who will have support throughout the festival from her lady-in-waiting, Blathnaid Ni Chearnaigh from Killorglin.
Added the release: Following the ceremony, the Puck King – who will this year also lay claim to the title of “King of the Wild Atlantic Way,” and his queen make their way through Killorglin, granting residents and visitors alike the “Freedom of the Town” for the duration of the festival.
This parade marks the beginning of “three-days of entertainment, music, pageantry and tradition.”
More at www.puckfair.ie
