Killorglin’s Puck Fair, held from 10 to 12 August, will offer a three-day programme of traditional music, markets, street entertainment, and cultural events, drawing over 100,000 visitors to Ireland’s oldest festival. Visitors can expect a vibrant atmosphere across the town’s streets, with each day—Gathering Day, Fair Day, and Scattering Day—carrying a distinct character.
On 10 August, Gathering Day, a traditional horse fair takes place at Evan’s Field on Tralee Road, followed by the Coronation Parade, where a wild mountain goat, crowned “King Puck” by a local schoolgirl known as the Queen of Puck, is raised onto a 12-metre platform in the town square to signify the festival’s start. Free entertainment includes live music on stages like the Town Plaza Stage, featuring traditional Irish fiddles, bodhráns, and accordions, alongside contemporary bands, with past acts including Cliona Hagan and The Tumbling Paddies.
Fair Day, 11 August, hosts a cattle fair on Langford Street, street markets with food stalls, crafts, and vendors, and performances by buskers, jugglers, and dancers. Scattering Day, 12 August, concludes with the Dethronement Parade, returning King Puck to the MacGillycuddy Reeks, accompanied by a fireworks display at midnight. Pubs, such as Falvey’s and Kingston’s, extend hours to 3am, hosting sessions with local musicians. Family-friendly activities include a funfair with rides like hurdy gurdies, face painting, and a King Puck mascot for photos.
Visitors can explore Killorglin’s River Laune, the nearby Ring of Kerry, or attractions like Blennerville Windmill, with accommodation at the Bianconi Inn or camping at Annadale Road. Parking is available at designated lots on Killarney and Tralee Roads, with shuttle buses and late-night DART services from Killarney.
The festival’s origins, traceable to 1613 when King James I granted legal status to an existing fair, are steeped in folklore, with one legend suggesting it commemorates a goat that warned locals of approaching Cromwellian forces. Likely rooted in the Celtic Lughnasa festival, symbolising harvest and fertility, the crowning of a goat may reflect pre-Christian traditions.
Founded by local traders and community members, the fair has endured challenges like the Great Famine and political unrest, maintaining its annual tradition except during 2020 and 2021 due to Covid. Now in its 412th year, it remains a community-driven event, supported by Kerry County Council and sponsors like Guinness. John O’Connell, the current festival director, has overseen recent adaptations, including reducing King Puck’s time on the platform to prioritise animal welfare, with the goat now briefly raised post-coronation and during dethronement, following veterinary checks. O’Connell’s leadership ensures the festival balances tradition with modern considerations, fostering local pride and global appeal.
The 2025 Puck Fair, free to attend, will offer a rich cultural experience, with merchandise like t-shirts and caps available at www.caseycollections.com or the festival stall near the goat stand. Visitors should book accommodation early and check www.puckfair.ie for the full programme, expected in summer 2025, to plan their visit to this historic event in Killorglin’s lively streets.
