Puck Fair, History and Traditions

A few years ago Puck Fair celebrated gaining its formal charter,  granted by King James I in 1613. The fair is unusual in that on the first day – Gathering Day – a male goat is crowned King of the Fair and resides over the event for three days. The fair is one of a small few that still continues the traditions of cattle and horse trading on the street. Other customs linger – busking, street food, and entertainment, stalls selling a bewildering array of goods and socializing into the wee hours.  Though no longer prominent, Irish Travellers still attend the fair as they have done for generations. The fair is the last vestige of the once common Irish harvest festivals. The story of Puck Fair is captured here.