ORGANISERS of the Puck Fair in Co Kerry have said "traditions can and should evolve" as they announced the length of time a wild mountain goat will be displayed in a cage for the festival is to be cut.
The folk festival, which dates back centuries, takes place annually in the village of Killorglin and involves a wild goat being captured and named 'King Puck' before being placed in a cage atop a stand in the centre of the village for three days and three nights.
In recent years, the festival - which attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the area and dubs itself 'Ireland's oldest fair' - has attracted criticism over animal welfare concerns, and last year the goat was taken down from the stand for the first time in the history of the festival due to soaring temperatures and fears over its health.
The Republic's Department of Agriculture said it received 175 complaints from members of the public over the welfare of the goat during last year's fair.
Festival organisers have previously stated the welfare of the goat is "of the utmost importance" and the animal is regularly checked by an independent vet.
However, in advance of this year's fair, which is taking place from August 10 - 12, organisers have announced the goat will only be placed atop the stand for a short period after being 'crowned', and will return to it for a second visit on the closing day of the festival.
Puck Fair Festival committee chair Declan Falvey said: “We are a festival steeped in longstanding traditions but equally, we acknowledge that traditions can and should evolve where there is good reason to do so.
"While King Puck will still be a major part of the festival, this year his role has evolved. The goat’s welfare has always been and remains of paramount importance to the committee and all of those that love Puck Fair."
Tradition states a girl from a local school is chosen as 'Queen Puck' and crowns the chosen goat, and the fair's roots are believed to date back to pre-Christian times and may be linked to the pagan Celtic festival of Lughnasa.
In a statement following the announcement, Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Cahill questioned the move to reduce the time the goat spends in the cage.
"The customs and traditions of our country are an onerous responsibility on all of us and we must strive to continue them and not turn into a society with no identity," he said in a statement.
“Am I and all my neighbours old-fashioned or are we being held to ransom by ‘snowflakes’, who campaign for animals while wearing cow-skin shoes? Not everything is black and white, as they say, and compromises may need to be accepted."
