CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESSWelcome to the Kingdom of Kerry."What Kingdom?",you may well ask. Kerry isthe county of Majestic Mountains, Majestic Scenery and of course is the home of Ireland's only king, King Puck.

On August 10th, 11th and 12th every year,a wild mountain male goat, (in Gaelic,an Poc) is crowned King of the Fair and presides over an event which has beenhappening in Killorglin for centuries.

When the crown is placed on his head by the Queen of Puck, Aoife Johnston, it is a signal to the thousands of people assembled in the town to forget the cares of the world and enjoy the unique atmosphere and hospitality which issynonymous with Puck Fair and the town of Killorglin.The festivities last for 3days and nights,all street entertainment is family orientated and free of charge,so pace yourself well and by the time the goat is back in his mountain home onthe evening of the 12th you will appreciate the words of a famous song aboutthe the goat-"as long as I'm living I've a story for telling of my rambles throughKerry with the Kingly Puck Goat.."

Cuirim failte roimh gach duine ata annseo,muintir na haite ata ar cuairt abhaile,agus na cuairteoiri ata ar laethanta saoire o gach aird den domhan. Mobhuiochas do gach duine a thugann cabhar duinn an ocaid stairiul tradisiunta seo a eagru-ni bheadh Aonach an Phoic againn gan an cabhar seo.

Go mbeirimid beo an t-am seo aris!

Declan Mangan,Chairman - Puck Fair Organising Committee

PUCK FAIR QUEEN 2008My name is Aoife Johnston. I am twelve years old and I livein Dungeel Lower, Killorglin. My parents are Tom andDolores. I have two sisters and one brother. My sisterRoisin is the eldest and she is in college in Dublin. Mybrother who wishes to remain anonymous is secondeldest. My Dad is a dairy farmer and my Mom is a teacher.

I am in sixth class in Douglas National School and I will be starting in theIntermediate School in September. My hobbies include horse riding, football,music, Irish Dancing and swimming. I play football with the Laune Ranger U14team and I also play with my school team Douglas. I play in the backs. I play thepiano and tin whistle and I learn Irish dancing in school. My favourite hobby ishorse riding. I have my own pony and her name is Breeze. I ride every eveningafter school and I go to shows and competitions at the weekends. I also lovegoing to horse fairs with my Dad. I love the horse fair at Puck and we go everyyear. I meet all my pony friends at Puck.

I want to be Queen of Puck this year because I think I would be the best Queenever. I have no problem in learning languages and I have no fear of goats orcrowds of people. I live on a farm and I am very experienced with animals,particularly horses and cows. I love being photographed and I think I take agreat photograph! I have a great sense of humour and I would charm all theforeigners, particularly the Americans.

I love Puck and I have been to Puck every year since I was born. It’s a greatfamily festival for us because even my Dad takes time off from work and we goto Puck day and night for three days and we come home when the lastfirework has gone out on the third night.

The highlight of the festival is the parade and every year I watch the paradeoutside Falvey’s bar and on the evening of the third day I watch the paradepassing and disappearing out over Killorglin bridge and I always say to myself Iwant to be Queen of Puck next year. I think my time has come...

Aoife Johnston

PUCK FAIR REMEMBERSKevin Melia R.I.P.: Kevin had a back office involvement with Puck for many yearsand his presence will be greatly missed by the organising committee. Christy Hanley R.I.P.: Christy was a familiar face to visitors at Puck Fair downthrough the years and it was with great sadness that the committee learned of his passing.

Taken from the Irish meaning ‘honour’, the four members of Onóra (Pronounced On-Oh-Ra)are no strangers to the Kerry music scene. Their eclectic mix of talent and their fresh sound,make them one of the most exciting and uniquegroups to be heard in the county for some time.Local Beaufort and Killarney musicians, BrendanO'Connor, Patrick O'Connor and Kieran Healyare joined by lead vocalist Helena Connolly fromLisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh. All four members arevery accomplished musicians in their own rightbut have been playing together as a group since2005 and are already making an impressive markon the local music scene. Their debut album,“Future in the Past” is due to hit local recordstores shortly and the band has beenoverwhelmed by the reaction to the album so far. It promises to be an outstandingdebut, with new,slick and modern productions on some old firm favourites!Describing their music as a mix of traditional and contemporary Irish, folk andcountry, Onóra’s unique blend of old and new promises something to suit all tastes!Catch them at Puck – A band not to be missed!

7.00am Horse Fair Evan's Field Tralee Road-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11.00am Wobbly Circus - Street Entertainment The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Midday Bonny Baby Competition Puck Fair Stand-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Midday Puck Fair Mass St. James’s Church-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Midday Balloon Modelling The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.00pm Traditional Session with Leas Ainm Puck Fair Stand-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.30pm The Biddy Bunratty Experience Walkabout Character-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.00pm Face Painting The Square------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -2.30pm Fanfare Piston The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.30pm John Paul Puppets The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.00pm Blarney Brass & Reed Band Library Place-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.15pm Traditional Session with Leas Ainm Puck Fair Stand-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.30pm John Paul Puppets Top of the Town-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.00pm Caint agus Ceoil Puck Fair Stand-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.00pm Wobbly Circus Street Entertainment Various locations around town-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.00pm The Biddy Bunratty Experience Walkabout Character-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.30pm Balloon Modelling The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.30pm Coronation Parade Route:The Bridge - Main Street - The Square

in association with FEXCO-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.45pm Coronation Ceremony Puck Fair Stand-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7.00pm Fanfare Piston Top of the Town-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9.30pm ONÓRA The Stage Truck

in association with Killorglin Credit Union-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ONÓRA › AUGUST 10TH

BIRDS AMUSEMENTSThe Puck Fair Committee welcome Birds Amusements once again to Puck Fair.Situated in the Fair Field this Euroshow has been part and parcel of Puck Fair forover fifty years. This year the Amusements will be open on August 8th and closeon August 13th

GATHERING DAY › SUNDAY › AUGUST 10TH

WALKABOUTS"Beware! The monsters are loose! This year Cork Circus presents their newwalkabout monsters from the Marsh. Prince Gloop the Green Gargoyle andhis bouncing henchmen, Fester and Stench take to the streets in an effort toterrorise the people of Killorglin. Why? Because they are looking for a newhome. So beware because they might just follow you back to your house!!"

CHECK OUT THE GUINNESS MUSIC TRAIL POSTERSFOR TIMINGS ON PUB ENTERTAINMENT

Mundy first emerged into the spotlight as a baby-faced 20-year-old back in 1996, having spent theprevious two years busking on the streets of Dublin,writing songs and showcasing them at the legendaryopen mic nights at the International Bar. His talentwas obvious from the very beginning, and the youngsinger was quickly snapped up by Sony Music, whoreleased his debut album, Jellylegs, to great criticalacclaim. World tours followed, including dates withNeil Young, Van Morrisson and Alanis Morrisette (at that time the biggest female artistin the world with her Jagged Little Pill album). One song from Jellylegs, ‘To You IBestow’ found its way onto Baz Luhrman’s Romeo & Juliet soundtrack, which went onto sell more than 11 million copies worldwide.

FAIR DAY › MONDAY› AUGUST 11TH AUGUST 11TH › MUNDY

Kell have gained a reputation as one of the finestCeltic rock bands on the London–Irish circuit, playingevery major pub and Irish venue. Indeed, regular tours of Ireland have ensured theirreputation continues to grow on the greener side of the Irish Sea! This collection ofmusicians, including an All-Ireland Champion fiddle player and a multi-award winningmandolin player, have been described as energetic, eclectic and as playing ‘with a totaldisregard for the safety of their instruments’. During their career, they have playedalongside the likes of Bagatelle, The Fureys and The Wolfetones, and have a strong heritageof playing outdoor festivals, including the opening night of the 2006 Ballina Street and ArtsFestival. Their set covers a wide range of songs, from gentle traditional melodies toenergetic Pogues numbers. And while they play songs from artists as diverse as Elvis,Christy Moore and Steve Harley, their music always maintains a heart of pure Celtic rhythmand soul. For two of the band, Tony and Paul Coyle, playing Puck Fair is a homecoming and a long held wish, as their mother hails from the famous Killorglin town!

AUGUST 11TH › KELL

IRISH/SET DANCINGDISPLAY BY SPA DANCERSWe welcome to Puck Fair for the 1st time, All-Ireland Set DancingChampions since 2004 'The Spa Dancers'. See them on the StageTruck on Monday August 11th. Photo courtesy of Kerrys Eye

Early Morning Traditional Cattle Fair Langford Street-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11.00am Cultural Trail Commencing Puck Fair Monument-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11.00pm John Paul Puppets The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11.30am Cork Community Circus The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Midday Pet Show Puck Fair Stand-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Midday Fanfare Piston Library Place-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Midday Balloon Modelling The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.00pm Traditional Session Leas Ainm Puck Fair Stand-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.30pm The Biddy Bunratty Experience Walkabout Character-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.00pm Luigi the Jester The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.00pm Face Painting The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.00pm Wobbly Circus Walkabout Character-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3.00pm Fanfare Piston The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.00pm Introduction to Queen The Stage Truck-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.00pm Balloon Modelling The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.00pm John Paul Puppets The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.30pm Traditional Session Leas Ainm The Stage Truck-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.30pm Biddy Bunratty Experience Walkabout Character-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.30pm Luigi The Jester The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6.00pm Irish/Set Dancing Display by Spa Dancers The Stage Truck-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6.00pm Cork Community Circus Walkabout Character-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7.00pm Wobbly Circus The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7.45pm Kell The Stage Truck-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9.30pm MUNDY The Stage Truck

in association with Guinness CATTLE FAIRTraditionally held on August 11th in the centre of town. This fair is not organised by the PuckFair Organising Committee but operates under a natural pre-ordained act under charter. Allanimals must come from herds which are not restricted and the herd and relevant animalsmust have a clear test within the T.B & Brucellosis Test Limit laid down by the Department –i.e. Brucellosis 30 days. T.B. 12 Months. All bovines must bear double plastic tags as issuedunder the Department’s Identification System and must be accompanied by passports.

The Camembert Quartet are the greatestfive piece quartet in the world.Now famous for being Ryan Tubridy'sHouse band on Tubridy Tonight (RTE,Saturday Nights), the CamembertQuartet are an Irish original Musical/Comedy Group whose sharp andhilarious lyrics take on the pomposities ofthe Irish and International music scenes. It's an utterly unique show, loved by anyone who sees it - Think rock versions of“That’s Amore” and salsa interpretations of “Stairway to Heaven” and you’ll have aclearer picture of their gig.

11.00am Wobbly Circus The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11.00am Luigi The Jester The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Midday Fancy Dress Puck Fair Stand-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12.30pm Face Painting The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.00pm John Paul Puppets The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.00pm Traditional Session with Leas Ainm Puck Fair Stand-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.00pm Cork Community Circus The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.00pm The Biddy Bunratty Experience Walkabout Character-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.30pm Luigi the Jester Walkabout Character-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3.15pm Fanfare Piston The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.00pm Traditional Session with Leas Ainm Puck Fair Stand-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.00pm Biddy Bunratty Experience Walkabout Character-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.00pm Cork Community Circus Walkabout Character-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.15pm Wobbly Circus The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5.30pm. Dethronement Parade &Ceremony The Square

in association with FEXCO-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7.00pm John Paul Puppets The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7.30pm Balloon Modelling The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8.00pm Fanfare Piston The Square-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9.15pm THE CAMEMBERT QUARTET The Stage Truck

in association with Champs Eurospar-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Midnight Fireworks Viewing locations The Square & Lower Town

in association with Astellas-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SCATTERING DAY › TUESDAY › AUGUST 12TH

TRAFFIC & CAR PARK ARRANGEMENTSPlease follow traffic signs and instructions and refrain from parking in no parking zones.These areas are there to ensure the free flow of traffic during the festival. There is ample car parking available in the Annadale Road Car Park (opposite Bianconi Inn), Killarney Road(near Puck Goat Statue) and the Tralee Road. Admission to all car parks is m5. Please ensure that you lock all doors and windows when leaving your car and remove all valuablesfrom view inside your car.LIMITED DISABILITY PARKING AVAILABLE AT LIBRARY PLACE ON THESCHOOL ROAD SIDE. CHECK SIGNS FOR DETAILS.

THE GUINNESS MUSIC TRAILThe Guinness Music Trail competition takes place over the three days of PuckFair. The local pubs compete for a beautiful Guinness Cuchulain Statuette.Please check separate posters for details of the great music, craic and song.

GUINNESS ONLY SPONSORS ELEMENTS OF THE FESTIVALWHICH ARE INTENDED FOR THOSE ABOVE THE LEGAL

DRINKING AGE OF 18

AUGUST 12TH › THE CAMEMBERT QUARTET

WWW.PUCKFAIR.IE

INTERNATIONAL BANDS - FANFARE PISTON

For 35 years, Fanfare Piston has livened the Lyons area in France. The brass band recruits from the students of the Ecole Centrale de Lyon. It is made up of thirty or so persons playing various instruments from sousaphone, to clarinet by trombone andtrumpet, without forgetting drums. Its repertoire is made up of traditional French tunes, Spanish tunes, old French songs and jazz and pop music arrangements.

STREET SHOWLuigi Budini, Jester ExtraordinaireMeet Italy's favourite son, Luigi the Jester. With his love for all things Italian-coffee... pizza... donkeys.... he has been entertaining people all over Europe forover eight hundred years. Juggling, clowning, acrobatics and a terrifying Slackroperoutine are all included in this multi-lingual extravaganza."

BAR EXEMPTIONSAugust 13th Bars open till 1.30amAugust 10th – 12th Bars open till 3.00am(only plastic glasses on the streets during the festival)

BLARNEY BRASS & REED BAND The streets of Killorglin will be tapping to the sound of the Blarney Brass and Reed Band on the first day of Puck. This bandwill grace the streets of Killorglin with an afternoon recital and will also feature in the Coronation Parade.

AIB PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITIONThe AIB Photojournalism Awards & Exhibition showcases some of the most striking and memorable works from the past year by Ireland's Press Photographers.Out of over 1,650 entries submitted from around the country, 116 were chosen to travel around 40 AIB branches, across Ireland.

The competition covers many aspects of Irish life and Society, with categoriesincluding: News, The Arts, Features, Sports Features and Sports Action, to name a few. Kerry is again well represented this year, with local photographers featuring in the Exhibition.

Check out this free exhibition at the AIB in Iveragh Road

There are many legends which suggest anorigin for the Fair. Many are wildly inventive,but there is no written record stating when theFair started. It has been suggested that it islinked to pre-Christian celebrations of a fruitful harvest and that the male goat or“Puck” was a pagan symbol of fertility, like thepagan god Pan.

THE ORIGINS of the fair have been lost inthe midst of antiquity, and variouscommissions set up over the past 200 yearshave tried in vain to date them. Evidencesuggests that the fair existed long beforewritten records. There is one writtenreference from the 17th Century in existencewhich grants Jenkins Conway, the locallandlord at the time, the right to collect a sumfor every animal brought to the August Fair.This would suggest that the Fair wassomething already well established in the localcommunity.

THE MOST WIDELY MENTIONEDSTORY RELATING to the origin of KingPuck, associates him with the English IronsideLeader Oliver Cromwell. The story goes thatwhile the “Roundheads” were pillaging thecountryside around Shanara and Kilgobnet atthe foot of the McGillycuddy Reeks, theyrouted a herd of goats grazing on the upland.The animals took flight before the raiders, andthe he-goat or “Puck” broke away on his ownand lost contact with the herd. While theothers headed for the mountains he wenttowards Cill Orglain (Killorglin) on the banksof the Laune. His arrival there in a state ofsemi exhaustion alerted the inhabitants of theapproaching danger and they immediately setabout protecting themselves and their stock.

Legend has it that in recognition of the servicerendered by the goat, the people decided toinstitute a special festival in his honour andthis festival has been held ever since.

ANOTHER LEGEND regarding the origin of“King Puck” relates to the time of DanielO’Connell, who in 1808 was an unknownbarrister. It seems that before that year, theAugust fair held in Killorglin had been a tollfair, but an Act of the British Parliamentempowered the Viceroy or Lord Lieutenant inDublin to make an order, at his owndiscretion, making it unlawful to levy tolls atcattle, horse or sheep fairs.

Tolls in Killorglin were collected by the locallandlord - Mr Harman Blennerhassett - whohad fallen into bad graces with the authoritiesin Dublin Castle and as a result the Viceroyrobbed him of his right to levy tolls.Blennerhassett enlisted the services of theyoung Daniel O’Connell, who in an effort toreverse the decision decided that goats werenot covered by the document and that thelandlord would be legally entitled to hold agoat fair, and levy his tolls as usual. The fairwas promptly advertised as taking place onAugust 10th, 1808, and on that day a goat washoisted on a stage to show to all attendingthat the fair was indeed a goat fair - andBlennerhassett collected his toll money andKillorglin gained a King.

Whatever its origins, the fair has long beenand continues to be the main social, economicand cultural event in the Killorglin calendar. Itis a time when old friends meet, when newfriendships are forged and the cares ofeveryday living are put on hold for threewonderful days.

PREPARATIONSA ceremony which takes place before Puck isthe selection of the Queen of Puck. In an ageold tradition, the Queen must be 12 years ofage and is chosen from the local school girlswho are asked to write a short essay on whythey would like to be Queen of Puck. Herprimary duty is to deliver the Puck FairProclamation which welcomes both theemigrants and the visitors to the Fair. TheProclamation is delivered in Irish, English,French and German and serves to grant theFreedom of the Town, under the patronage ofHis Majesty King Puck to all present.

GATHERING DAYThe first day of the Fair is called “GatheringDay”. A wild male mountain goat is paradedthrough the gaily decorated town to theapplause of thousands. The streets throb tothe pulse of pipers, drummers, traditional Irishmusic sessions, balladeers and streetentertainers of all types. The parade featurestraditional floats bearing the Puck Goat - soonto be King - the Queen of the Fair, andmodern type floats from local business andcultural groups. The goat is placed on thelowest tier of a three-tiered Puck Fair Stand inthe Square. The Queen delivers the PuckProclamation and the crowds salute the new King.

THE HORSE & CATTLE FAIRSIt is possible that the Horse and Cattle Fairswhich take place on August 10th and 11threspectively pre-date that festive elementwhich today is much more evident.The Horse Fair takes place on the morning ofAugust 10th and in bygone days when thehorse was the main mode of transport thePuck Horse Fair was attended by buyers fromall over Ireland and beyond. Even the armiesof Europe sent buyers to Puck. Popularlegend has it that a horse bought at Puck Fairwas ridden by Marshall Ney of France in the Battle of Waterloo!

Animals were often moved into town atmidnight to ensure the best locations forselling. Buyers may buy as early as 6am butusually deals are completed by mid-morning.Then, both parties visit a local hostelry to toasteach other’s health and no doubt the health ofthe animals just sold.

SCATTERING DAYOn the evening of the third day called“Scattering Day” the dethronement of KingPuck takes place. Again The Square isteeming with people as international accentscontrast with the musical Kerry lilt of thelocals. Once the “King” relinquishes hiscrown, he is once again a mere goat. Stillmindful of his dignity he is paraded once morethrough the streets of Killorglin before beingreleased to his home in the wilds of themountains of Kerry.

However the singing and dancing continuesand the sound of merry music meets the dawnto send revellers back to their homes invarious parts of the world, tired but happy andlooking forward to the next Puck Fair.

ORIGINS & LEGENDS OF THE FAIR

KING PUCK BEING HOISTEDTO HIS LOFTY PERCH IN 1926.

THIS PROGRAMME IS PRINTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH AIB Designed by SPLASH 064 34505 ::: www.printing.iePhotography By People of Killorglin & Riona MacMonagle 087 242 1558

THE MEDICAL CENTRE - The Medical Centre is located on Mill Road, Telephone 066 97 90961. The opening hours are: Sun. Aug. 10th - 9.00a.m. to 4.00a.m.Mon. Aug. 11th - 9.00p.m. to 4.00a.m. & Tue. Aug. 12th - 9.00p.m. to 4.00a.m.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Puck Fair Ltd. - c/o Laura Ahern, Dooks, Glenbeigh, Co. Kerry.Telephone/Fax: 00 353 66 97 62366 › www.puckfair.ie › info@puckfair.ie----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PUCK FAIR SHOP - LOOK OUT FOR NEW MOBILE PUCK FAIR SHOP WHICH IS LOCATED AT TOP OF THE TOWN.