THIS YEAR'S King Puck was selected by a band of women goat catchers in advance of the annual Puck Fair festival, which takes place in Killorglin, Co Kerry next Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, writes Anne Lucey
Chief goat catcher Frank Joy, who, for the past 18 years, has led the chase in the mountains of south Kerry for a wild goat to reign over the annual Puck Fair, said the departure from tradition brought some light relief to what was a back-breaking exercise this year.
The 18-strong team included several women who had the final say in the selection, Mr Joy said. "They went for the all-white," he remarked. The goat is to be called "King Ray" after the little ray of sunshine he brought on his capture. "He is a very healthy and strong five-year-old goat with a clean white coat, long beard and good pair of horns," Mr Joy said.
It took three trips to the mountains around Glenbeigh, Rossbeigh and Glencar in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks on separate evenings before finally catching up with a fine herd of up to 35 goats in a remote valley.
Ferocious midges, bad weather and wilier goats this year meant more time than usual had to be spent bringing down the puck. The goats are receding into the mountains and more remote valleys. It was "like a breath of fresh air" to come across the fine herd from which the goat was eventually selected, Mr Joy said.
Midges were a formidable problem. According to Francis Joy, son of the goat catcher, one member of the team who is a native of North Kerry received a savage biting from the pests. "Perhaps they noticed the foreign flesh on the hillside," he said.
A trip to Treangarriv two nights later also failed to capture a puck from a herd of over 40 goats. On this occasion the goats had the advantage of familiarity with the cliffs and rocky ground, Mr Joy junior explained.
However, on Friday evening they returned to the area, overlooking Lough Caragh, and this time "got their man".
King Ray has already received a full medical examination from local vet Teddy Clifford and was rested before being introduced to the world's cameras. Mr Clifford said the goat is in fine form. He will be on a diet of fine herbs and grasses until his coronation.
Local girl Aoife Johnston (12) will crown the puck on Sunday after a coronation parade led by the goat through the town on the banks of the river Laune.
He will reign for three days and three nights, during which time the pubs will be open until 3am.