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.

PJ, holidaying for a week in the nearby seaside village of Waterville, was enjoying a day-trip to Puck with his wife Eileen, but they had nothing more energetic on their agenda other than a leisurely stroll around town.

The persistent rain all day on Wednesday resulted in a considerable reduction in anticipated visitor numbers prior to and during the coronation parade, but much calmer elements yesterday ensured a more pleasant experience for all.

“The rain ruined Wednesday but there is a great buzz around the place today,” said publican Breda Falvey, who was taking a short break from her duties behind the counter to cast a glance on the streets outside.

“People had to dash between the drops going from pub to pub on Wednesday night. It was a great pity given how hard the committee worked, but what can you do?

“There’s a great crowd today and everything is going smoothly so we can’t complain,” she said.

Breda, who owns Falvey’s Bar on Bridge Street with her husband Declan, said business was brisk all day and she had just served up early afternoon pints to two men from Ballylongford and two more from Ballyheigue who come to Puck every year without fail.

The organising committee has turned back the clock to ensure all the recession-proof magic from festivals of yesteryear was back on the agenda to be enjoyed by all. Activities on the streets included a well-attended bonny baby competition, free storytelling workshops, circus skills and open-air concerts at the town square.

All creatures great and small took over Langford Street shortly after dawn for the annual cattle fair with the bright cloudless sky overhead ensuring that conditions were ideal for the traders to conduct their business.

Visitors carefully negotiated their way past steaming piles of cow dung, but business was quite brisk, although nobody appeared to be willing to go public with information on the current prices being sought or received. “Are you the taxman or something? I’m only minding these for a fellah gone to the shop,” insisted one peak-capped dealer, stuffing a wad of €50 notes into his pocket.

Market stalls lined the streets of the town with traders offering everything from three-piece suites to power tools and from sugán stools to bejewelled princess gowns.

With the main streets pedestrianised for the three days and nights of the festival, traffic gridlock was inevitable with all vehicles approaching the town being diverted along the narrow roads towards Glenbeigh or Beaufort.

Teenagers Michael Murray and Evan Cotter from Ennis were enjoying their first visit to Killorglin in the company of Michael’s parents.

“The atmosphere is electric and the buzz on the streets at night is great,” said Michael, who was looking forward to an open air performance by US tribute band, Joshua Tree, late last night.