Puck Fair's late-night drinking tradition survives garda objections

Gardaí had objected to pubs staying open until 3am on the grounds of straitened resources

Puck Fair started in Killorglin, Co Kerry, in 1603, the last year of the reign of King James I of England, and sees a goat crowned king for three days and three nights in August. File photo: Don MacMonagle

Puck Fair, one of Ireland’s oldest festivals, where a goat is crowned king for three days and three nights, will see its late-night drinking tradition survive for 2025 after an appeal by publicans in Killorglin succeeded in the Circuit Court in Killarney on Tuesday.

On July 10 at the District Court of Killorglin, sitting in Caherciveen, 14 publicans applied under Section 10 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962 for the annual special exemption to 3am over the three principal nights of the August Fair, Gathering, Fair and Scattering, on August 10, 11 and 12.