Rain fails to dampen spirits

LIVELY pensioner PJ Breen from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, has a theory on why it always seems to rain on the Puck Fair parade.

The 72-year-old retired factory worker reckons astute publicans in Killorglin gather to conduct a rain dance ritual in the days leading up to the age-old Kerry festival to ensure visitors quickly abandon free entertainment on the streets to take refuge from the showers on high stools and in cozy snug corners.

They have it all worked out, I’m telling you. They have it down to a tee,” he joked as he soaked up the atmosphere near a row of hastily erected market stalls at Castleconway and closely inspected a cut-price tool kit.