We all went to the annual Puck Fair at Killorgan today.
Held over three days on the 10th, 11th & 12th August, the first day is called the 'gathering' where the people go up into the mountains & catch a wild goat. The goat is brought back to the town & the 'Queen of Puck' traditionally a young school girl from one of the local schools crowns the goat King Puck.
The King is then put in a cage on a high stand for three days in the middle of the town square.
The second day is called the 'Fair day where they trade their animals & make money on the animals they've kept all year.
The third day is called the 'scattering' day where everyone goes home & the goat is taken back to the mountains.
One of the legends of the fair is that the event that a goat broke away from the herd to warn the town of the advancing Oliver Cromwell army giving them time to hide & protect the town. This is why the goat is held in such high regard!
It was very interesting although we didn't actually see the goat as the men were up the mountain still catching it!
All done under strict animal health & safety rules.
Sounds like a fun fair - glad they don't sacrifice the goat as would have been done in some countries! Good to hear its obeying all the rules. There must be dancing and guinness drinking too!
