DREAM COME THROUGH: Maeve McCarthy from Cromane Lower in Killorglin has been crowned as Queen of Puck Fair for 2019. Photo: Michelle Crean

Since she was a little girl she imagined being Queen of Puck - and this week Maeve McCarthy from Cromane Lower in Killorglin saw her dreams come through - as she was crowned Queen for 2019.

The 12-year-old impressed judges with her application letter and she was selected as Queen for the August 10 to 12 fair - the oldest festival in Ireland.

An independent judging panel trawled through all the entry letters from Sixth Class pupils across the region, before interviewing each hopeful and hearing them read aloud the famous Puck Fair welcome speech, which is recited during the Coronation Ceremony on the festival’s opening day.

Adding to the excitement her friend Sian Corkery was selected as her Lady in Waiting, the first time that two Cromane girls were selected to perform two leading roles at the same time.

“I could not believe it when I was selected, I was very surprised,” Meave, who is a pupil at Scoil Réalt na Mara in Cromane, told the Killarney Advertiser.

“It is something I always wanted to do. Every girl from the area wants to be Queen of Puck, and I can’t believe they selected me. Puck is a big part of our lives, we go every year. My cousins can’t wait to come from Cork to see me.”

The festival’s ancient traditions date back to 1613, but over four centuries later the popularity of this unique event shows no sign of waning, with visitors from all over the globe flocking to Killorglin every August to witness the royal festivities with their own eyes.

Queen of Puck 2019 (Maeve’s Letter)

My name is Maeve McCarthy. I am 12 years old and a 6th class pupil in Scoil Réalt na Mara, Cromane. I live in Cromane Lower with my mom and dad, my two brothers Aidan and James, my sister Orla and my dog Bubbles. I love music and I can play the tin whistle, the violin and I am learning the banjo. One of the reasons I love Puck is all the lovely music available for free on the streets of Killorglin. This year, I would love to be the Queen of Puck because I would do a great job. I am a confident speaker and I love meeting new people. I love everything about Puck, from the Horse Fair on the first day to the fireworks on the last. The food is always unbelievable and with all the stalls you are never bored. And that’s why I would love to be the Queen of Puck.

Yours hopefully,

Maeve McCarthy.