Heart Beat:Basically I knew I shouldn't have lit that bonfire, I seem to have destabilised world weather patterns as well as spreading dioxins all around to the detriment of my fellows. It's fine thus far today but with a gale blowing and I have emerged from a morning swim with a sense of grievance, writes Maurice Neligan.
This is the weather the shepherd shuns, And so do I- Thomas Hardy
I know it may seem incomprehensible to many folk, but the fact is I seem to have missed the cut for the "tint" at Galway once again. It's enough to make one feel paranoid. I suppose I'll just have to skulk here in Kerry as usual. Before I leave the subject of the equine festival, I must note that I was persuaded to support an animal racing there.
Racing is perhaps too kind a word. I suppose my investment, and those of the equally gullible, explained the otherwise puzzling fact that as the Irish stock market experienced something akin to freefall, the shares in Paddy Power bookmakers bucked the trend and actually rose. It's been a week of disappointments. I didn't win the Lotto either.
Down here in south Kerry we are in the pre-Puck period. This was borne in upon me when I suggested to a local contractor that a certain date might be suitable for our business. He looked at me pityingly and gently explained as to a very small child "but that's during Puck".
I have written about this extraordinary fair several times over the past years, but always after the event. This has been pointed out to me reproachfully, and it has been suggested that I write pre Puck so that you can all drop everything you are doing, change all your plans and head for Killorglin.
For those with stout constitutions I can think of far worse things to do. It is a hugely enjoyable event and if you haven't been, come into this most hospitable part of the world and give it a try.
I am not sure I believe the recent story that EC regulations require the goat, aka King Puck, to be tagged and that the worthy burghers of Killorglin balked at this. In any case my beliefs don't matter and it will be a "known fact" in just a few years.
Of certainty, however, the Gardaí in the area appealed in court for a reduction in the licensing hours during the fair, ie from 3am to 2am, in line with other festivals throughout the country.
A case of "lese majeste" indeed; what other paltry bean feast could stand alongside this mighty event? Many of my good friends, speaking on behalf of the majority of the local community, pointed out with reason that it is barely 30 years since the pubs were open all night and the festival nowadays was like a children's tea party. It was intimated gently, as Jonathan Swift put it, "an old saying and true - much drinking, little thinking". I suppose they meant you must give your brain a rest sometime and where better to do it than here.
Unimpressed, the Gardaí pointed out an increase in domestic violence at this time, a fact much to be regretted. "Sure the women can be a fright altogether," conceded the local plenipotentiaries, pointing out that many a befuddled gentleman returning home after an evening at the fair had found this to his cost.
On a more serious note, I fully appreciate what my friend and colleague Dr Michael Loftus wrote on the subject in this paper recently. He has vast experience on this subject and his voice should be heard. At the end of the day, however, education rather than compulsion holds the key to this problem that in truth will never be solved to universal satisfaction.
This has been a well-stewarded, well-policed and very enjoyable event over recent years and while every effort should be made to see that it so remains, I for one would not like to see it diminished.
For the good are always the merry
Save by an evil chance
For the merry love the fiddle
And the merry love to dance -
(W B Yeats, The Fiddler of Dooney)
Who would have it otherwise? I am sure the revellers will bear in mind the injunction in the Bible, proverbs ch.20 v1. Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging. Better stick to the few pints lads.
Incidentally, in 1841 Father Matthew received a huge welcome in Killorglin on his temperance crusade and almost the whole town took the pledge!
A few miles down the road at the Gap of Dunloe another perennial problem has arisen; that is the right of vehicular access through the Gap into the Black Valley and linking with the Killarney-Kenmare road near Moll's Gap. This is a narrow road and the traffic is primarily horses and ponies, traps, walkers and hardy cyclists. Such motor traffic as there is tends to be restricted to residents in the valley and to emergency vehicles. It is a wonderful experience to traverse the Gap on foot or horseback or in a trap, possibly turning aside to Lord Brandon's cottage to link with the boats which will bring you right through the Lakes of Killarney to Ross Castle on the outskirts of the town.
It is a hidden treasure of our land and there is a very real risk that we can destroy it by allowing access to buses and cars of all types. Councillor Johnny "Porridge" O'Connor puts it, "let the pony men tell you a few lies as they take you on this most unforgettable trip and let them, as the squirrel does, make enough to survive the winter".
Let's leave it alone in its wildness and beauty.
Maurice Neligan is a cardiac surgeon.