‘Couldn’t give ’em away for free’ at horse fair

A huge drop in the number of animals for sale and in prices being fetched was reported at one of the country’s oldest horse fairs.

It was almost a case of “couldn’t give ’em away for nothing” at Puck Fair, in Killorglin, Co Kerry, where the collapse in the equine market was plain to see.

Danny McCarthy, of Bantry, Co Cork, and Donal Grady, Killarney, Co Kerry, regulars at the fair for more than 40 years maintained there was a 50% drop in horses on show.

Sitting on a three-legged stool beside his four Shetland ponies, Danny said the ponies would at one time have made €600 to €700 each, but now he couldn’t get €100.

‘’People just haven’t the money, but I also think there’s far too much paperwork now by the Dept of Agriculture. Paperwork is choking the country. Tis worse than the recession.

‘’We’re now told that people will need a licence to drive a sit-on lawnmower, but it would be cheaper for people to buy one of my little ponies who could keep the grass down and manure it as well for them.’’

Commenting that the fair was the smallest he had seen, Donal Grady, some of whose family are in the jarvey business, also said quality animals were scarce.

‘’The depressed state of the horse trade is reflection of the economy in general, the recession is far from over,’’ he said, casting an eye all over the fair field on the edge of Killorglin.

Meanwhile, the Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) objected as a caged mountain goat was hoisted onto a 20m platform in the town square before being crowned King Puck in keeping with age-old tradition.

ARAN claimed the goat was “confined, terrified and confused amongst thousands of party-goers and drunken revellers” but the fair organisers denied the goat was being ill-treated, saying it had been examined by a vet and issued with a certificate of good health.

Around 40,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event.

The streets are lined with stalls selling a huge range of goods and pub cash registers beat out merry tunes.

Former All-Ireland winning Kerry footballer Billy O’Shea is a fourth generation publican.

“In recent years, the organising committee has revolutionised the fair by putting on first class street entertainment, but the essence of the event remains the same. There’s no airs and graces about Puck — everyone is equal here,” he said.

Pubs, meanwhile, have an exemption until 3am daily.