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AS PUCK FAIR 2016 draws to a close, visitors to the town can not only look forward to what promises to be a spectacular fireworks display at midnight tonight. Once again, the dedicated and passionate members of the Puck Fair committee have come up trumps to deliver a festival even bigger and better than the last. Day one of Puck Fair, known as ‘Gathering Day’ got off to a great start, with buyers, traders and tourists alike flocking to the Horse Fair, located at the foot of the town’s iconic bridge.

Ireland’s longest-running horse fair always proves to be one of the main attractions of the festival, with an electric atmosphere created by the banter between buyers and sellers, the intriguing trade stalls and of course, the beautiful horses, ponies and donkeys that take up residence in the field for the day.

Dr Pixie McKenna and Dr Phil Kieran from RTÉ One’s popular show, ‘You Should Really See a Doctor’ were also on hand at the Horse Fair site to consult with visitors experiencing any aches, pains or ailments!

Following the Horse Fair, the Coronation Parade and Ceremony unsurprisingly drew thousands of spectators to the Puck Fair stand, where this year’s King Puck was crowned by the 2016 Queen – 12-year-old local schoolgirl Kerry Lynch. The crowds that had gathered applauded the beautiful goat king as he took his place on the main stand, taking in the sights and sounds of one of Ireland’s oldest festivals.

Speaking of this year’s main attraction, goat catcher and Puck Fair committee member John McGrath revealed: “The goat has put on weight since he joined us – he's on good grass! He'll go back now and tell all his friends he had a great time!”

Day two of the festival – or ‘Fair Day’ as it is traditionally known – picked up where the previous day left off, with performers and musicians entertaining the masses on every street corner. The beautiful craft fair was once again in full swing on Library Place and tourists milled around the colourful stalls to purchase mementos of their Puck Fair experience. Families with young children happily posed for photographs with King Puck himself and the variety of Disney characters and superheroes parading through the town, while the youngest festival goers were kept busy with the Bonny Baby Competition during the afternoon – won by Dean Joseph (2 years and 7 months old), from Killorglin.

The second day of festivities came to a successful and enjoyable end with excited country music fans gathering in front of the town’s main stage to see the fabulous Mike Denver perform. Geraldine O’Sullivan of the Puck Fair committee said: “Over 8,000 people showed up see Mike Denver last night – the biggest crowd we’ve had since Mundi played in 2008.”

As ‘Scattering Day’ quickly came around marking the final day of Puck Fair, those staying in and around Killorglin began gearing up for the Dethronement Parade and to bid farewell to King Puck.

Speaking about the success of this year’s festival, Chairman of the Puck Fair committee Declan Mangan said: “Standing here on the morning of the last day of Puck Fair and looking around at the amount of volunteers who stayed around, you appreciate the work they do. You couldn’t have a festival without the efforts made by the volunteers, working for hours upon hours and they never question anything – just ask them to do it and they’ll do it. I think they’re one of the real secrets behind the success of Puck Fair.”

He added: “The whole package – the committee, the workers, the townspeople, the visitors, the entertainers – all work together to make up the whole unique package that is Puck Fair.”
 

 
Irish country music sensation Mike Denver with fans at Puck Fair.