An Poc ar Buile, Clodagh O'Leary

Puck Fair is an annual event held in Killorglin, County Kerry, with a history dating back over 400 years. The fair centers around the capture of a wild goat, which is crowned ‘King Puck’ and placed on a high platform in the town square. The origins of Puck Fair are steeped in local legend and historical accounts, with various theories explaining its inception as a combination of pagan, Christian, and economic traditions. 

The most popular story of the fair’s origin features a lone goat breaking away from its herd who are fleeing towards the mountains in order to warn the inhabitants of Killorglin about Cromwell’s advancing Roundheads who were pillaging nearby Shanara and Kilgobnet at the foot of the Mcgillycuddy Reeks. This story forms the basis for the traditional ballad ‘An Poc ar Buile’. Over the centuries, the fair has evolved from a market for livestock and goods into a vibrant celebration of Irish culture, featuring live music, parades, traditional dances, and amusement rides.

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Published by PhotoIreland
Edition of 200
Softcover
32 pages
148 x 210 mm