King Puck getting harder to track down, says catcher

THE thought of holding age-old Puck Fair without the regal presence of a wild goat is unimaginable, but it could yet happen.

It’s becoming more difficult each year to find a male mountain goat to preside over the famous fair held in Killorglin, Co Kerry, for hundreds of years, according to chief goat-catcher Frank Joy.

This year, Frank and his team failed to find a goat on the first weekend they went searching in the foothills of the Kerry mountains, but eventually captured a four-year-old at Lickeen, in the Glencar area, last Sunday.

Local speculation is that goats are being killed in increasing numbers and their skin used for making bodhráns, the traditional Irish music drums.

“Whatever is going on it’s getting really serious at this stage. We found it very hard to get a goat this year. If this situation continues, we’ll have to use a tame goat for Puck Fair and that would go against all tradition,” Frank warned.

“On the weekend before last, we searched in vain for a goat in the Kells area, but eventually succeeded in cornering a goat last weekend in a wooded area at Lickeen, after three days.

“It’s a shame what’s happening. It would be a disgrace if these goats disappeared as they’ve been in Ireland for 4,000 years.

“Two years ago, I saw a herd of 32 in Glencar, but there are only four goats there now,” he added.

The goat, named Oisín, was caught by brothers Danny and Jeremiah Moriarty and others involved in the search included Danny Quirke, Francis Joy, John Joy, Ursula Flynn, Maura Joy and Damien Murphy.

Meanwhile, the monarch-in-waiting that will be crowned King Puck at the opening of the three-day fair, on August 10, is resting up in Frank Joy’s farm.

“I like to have a goat for a couple of weeks to feed him up and so that he can get used to people,” Frank noted.

Blue/black in colour, Oisin, is being fed on a diet of shrubs and leaves from ash and oak trees, ivy and hay.

The goat, described as “young, healthy and lively”, will also undergo a veterinary examination.

And, in case he doesn’t pass the test or is unable to play his royal role for any reason, another goat, or first sub, is on standby.

Activities get under way on Tuesday with a horse fair after which Puck Fair 2010 will be opened, followed parade through the streets. The goat will be crowned King Puck and hoisted onto a 15-metre platform in Killorglin’s town square.

There will be 12 hours of free family entertainment each day and acts for the outdoor concerts include Dé Dannan, The Las Vegas Showband and The Walls.