MUFF FAIR:THEY CAME from as far away as Connemara to show off their ponies and make a sale while enjoying the annual holiday outing at Muff in Co Cavan yesterday, where the magic of one of the oldest fairs in Ireland was still evident despite the rain.
Extra gardaí were deployed along the maze of roads as hundreds of vehicles made their way to the east Cavan countryside, where the event is held each year on August 12th, unless the 12th falls on a Sunday, in which case it is staged on the 13th.
Barney Martin (56), from outside Trim, Co Meath, who was accompanied by son Ger (17), had a Clydesdale to show, and he was still holding out last evening for a better price.
Derek Cranston from Cormeen on the Meath-Cavan border, who had a donkey with a week-old foal for sale, said: "I don't intend to sell unless the price is right, and I'll decide that before the end of the day."
Co Down Shetland pony exhibitor Ross McCauley from Banbridge said: "It's the best fair in Ireland for quality ponies. People who come here know what they want and are prepared to pay the right price."
And there were more than 100 roadside stalls selling clothing, tools, leather goods, CDs and "fancy goods". Antrim stall-holder Cyril Dougan, who had a huge display of kitchen utensils, said: "We haven't missed a fair at Muff in the last 12 years, and a lot of other traders who have stopped going to other events, even the Ould Lammas Fair in Ballycastle, are still coming here. Trade is always good at Muff and we get a lot of customers from the far south who recognise good bargains."
The old fair dates back more than four centuries, and despite being banned by the authorities for a time because of sectarian clashes, the tradition was kept alive by locals who staged the fair in the nearby mountains.