Pagan tradition is still celebrated in Killorglin, County Kerry Ireland during Puck Fair. Officially, since 1610 there has been a goat-fawning festival where the best goat is crowned King Puck and paraded through the streets.
Before the goat festival can begin, the local men of Killorglin go hunting through McGillycuddy’s Reeks to search the woods for the next King Puck. Bare handed they manage to capture one of the best of the male wild goats to bring back down to the town. Any injuries the men may incur are seen as badges of honor for hunting down the goat. The local women in turn, compete to become Queen Puck while the men are away. The women who wish to earn the crown must write essays and pass the interview process where they must explain why they deserve to be the Queen of Puck.
Once the men have chosen the goat, they parade the animal through the streets on Gathering Day. The goat is then placed on a platform where the Queen of Puck reads to the townsfolk from the Puck Proclamation and crowns her King Puck. Three days of feasting follow as King Puck watches over his subjects from the top of the platform.
The Puck Fair is held every year in August in Killorglin. If you’d like more information about this year’s event click here: www.puckfaire.ie