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HORSE traders were out in force from early yesterday to take part in Ireland’s longest-running horse fair in Evan’s Field in Killorglin.

Puck Fair’s Gathering Day saw crowds surge across the streets of Killorglin as visitors converged on mid Kerry from across the globe to celebrate the crowning of King Puck.

This year’s festival is especially meaningful for Irish emigrants using the three-day extravaganza as an opportunity to return to the green grass of home.
Street entertainers and musicians are roaming the streets for the three days of the festival, which concludes tomorrow.

A brand-new addition to this year’s Puck Fair is the installation of a pop-up archives office in the town square, which contains hundreds of photos taken over the years at the many festival celebrations. This office will be open from 12pm each day and will provide a wonderful source of information for tourists and local history buffs.

Throughout the day, such entertainment will be provided by acts such as Wobbly Circus, Sproai Chiarrai and Squawkabout, while the Kingdom Party Pals will provide a fabulous surprise for the excited children in attendance, who will be invited to pose for snaps with their favourite Disney characters.

The coronation parade and ceremony saw a wild mountain goat crowned as monarch of the revelry yesterday evening. This years’ Queen of Puck, Caitlin Horgan, is a pupil of Scoil Mhuire in Killorglin, while her lady-in-waiting is Lily-Sue Eyers of Douglas National School on the outskirts of the town.

For updates and the full programme of events, visit www.puckfair.ie

A wild mountain goat on his 'throne' high above the people after beingcrowned 'King Puck' by the Queen of Puck Fair Caitlin Horgan at Puck Fair in Killorglin, County Kerry on Thursday. PICTURES: DON MACMONAGLE

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