A younger and friskier-than-normal male goat will reign in Killorglin for the Puck Fair this year.
The annual ritual of bringing down the wild puck from the foothills of the Kerry mountains has now taken place, and this year a goat "no older than seven years" has been captured.
"We liked the look of him. Normally we go for pucks nine to 10 years old. This fellow was young and fit, and he had a small herd," said Mr Frank Joy, who has been the fair's chief goat-catcher for almost two decades.
The goat, mostly white with a hint of black, was found on the banks of the Caragh River after an epic hunt over Glenbeigh, Rossbeigh and the Seefin mountain.
The team of goat-catchers this year included Mr Joy, his son, Mr Francis Joy, Mr Franck Guerineau,who is a French engineer, Mr Damien Keohan, Mr Jack O'Shea, Mr John Griffin and Mr Kieran Nugent.
This year's puck has been named after another king - Elvis (previous incumbents have been called Bertie and Arthur).
"He's lively and he has a good voice. He will make a good king," said Mr Joy, who chose the name.
Elvis is now being kept in the special care of Mr Joy. He will be fed herbs and rare mountain grasses, and all his needs will be seen to before his coronation.
This takes place next Tuesday, and beforehand Elvis will be seen by a veterinary surgeon.
Raised 50ft over the town of Killorglin, the royal goat will spend three days on high. He will be attended to three times daily by the goat-catchers.
The three-day festival, which may have its origins in a pagan festival in honour of the sun god Lugh, brings about €6 million to the region.