News
World champion oarswoman makes a splash at Puck Fair launch
“I’LL BE back for Puck” is a promise that rings out across the globe every year as Killorglin people now living away from home plan their return around Ireland's oldest festival.
It was fitting then that the town’s monument to the diaspora, on Iveragh Road, was the location this week for the launch of Puck Fair by 2016 World Coastal Rowing Champion Monika Dukarska, who is aspiring to qualify for the Olympics.
Monika joined forces with Puck Fair queen Caitlin Horgan, lady-in-waiting Sue Eyers and Declan Mangan, chairman of the Puck Fair committee to launch the 2017 programme.
One time I remarked to a friend who hails from the Mid Kerry town that Puck is like Christmas for its denizens. She looked at me in alarm, informing me: “No, for us, Puck is way bigger than Christmas!”
Puck Fair runs from August 10-12 and the three-day extravaganza attracts visitors from all over Ireland and the world including the Irish diaspora, who come to see the coronation of the wild mountain goat and enjoy 36 hours of free family entertainment. See www.puckfair.ie
Above: Launching Puck Fair 2017, at ‘The Diaspora Lady’ statue on Iveragh Road, were 2016 World Coastal Rowing Champion Monika Dukarska, Caitlin Horgan, Puck Fair Queen, Lily-Sue Eyers and Declan Mangan, Chair of Puck Fair.
PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE