ONE OF Ireland’s oldest fairs, though still known for its gaiety and hard drinking, has not been spared the effects of the recession and has felt the steep decline in equine trading. There were plenty of animals at the horse fair on the opening day of Puck Fair, in Killorglin, Co Kerry, but very few people were buying.
This is in sharp contrast to the years of the economic boom, when four-wheel-drive vehicles towing huge horse boxes dominated traffic lines on all roads leading to the August fair. Donal Grady, mayor of neighbouring Killarney and a man with a keen eye for a horse, said prices were down by two-thirds since the days of the Celtic Tiger.
“You could buy a good driving horse, seven to 10 years old, here today for about €1,000. A similar animal would have made €3,000 three or four years ago.
“It’s a good fair for buyers, but hopeless for sellers. I didn’t see many horses being sold,” added Mr Grady whose family is in the jaunting car business in Killarney.
Last evening, a wild mountain goat, called Oisín, was ceremoniously crowned King Puck and lifted on to a 15m platform in Killorglin’s town square.
The goat is presiding over three days and nights of merriment from his lofty perch. In keeping with tradition, public houses in the town have exemptions to open until 3am each day and many were packed last night.
But there’s more to the three-day Puck Fair than dealing and drinking. The organisers are providing 12 hours of free entertainment each day on the streets, with bands, puppeteers, buskers and other performers.
Supt Michael O’Donovan, who is in charge of Garda operations, urged revellers to secure their personal belongings, not to drink and drive and to drive carefully.