Puck Fair – Ireland’s Oldest Festival Meets Modern Woodturning

My connection to Killorglin runs deep. Both sides of my family come from this vibrant Kerry town, and I spent a lot of my early years there. I remember the fairs, the markets, and the hum of local life that filled every corner — a real sense of community and tradition that stays with you forever.

Every August, Killorglin’s streets fill once again with music, markets, cattle, horses, and sheep. A fair like no other in the world. Welcome to Puck Fair, Ireland’s oldest festival. For centuries, locals have gathered to celebrate and crown a wild mountain goat as King Puck, a tradition that’s as strange as it is wonderful.

King Puck Statue Outside Killorglin

While the story of Puck is steeped in history, there’s something modern and local you can do while you’re in The Kingdom. In between the pints and the crowning of King Puck, step inside a real Irish woodturning workshop and see craft in action today.

Just 17 miles from Killorglin, in the capital of Kerry — Tralee — you can add something memorable to round off your festival trip. Visitors include families, solo travellers, couples, basically anyone who wants to see real Irish craft up close.

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I offer two ways to get involved — Woodturning Tuition if you’d like to really learn, and Woodturning Experiences if you just want to try it for fun. You can watch the craft in action and work on your own custom piece to take home with you.

Both options are by appointment and take about 4 hours for Tuition or 2 to 3 hours for the Experiences — perfect for a morning break before heading back out to Puck in the afternoon.

A Kerry Tradition Older Than Most

Puck Fair is part of the story of this corner of Kerry — a festival that’s run, in some form, for over 400 years. It includes cattle trading, horse fairs, local makers, and stories passed down generation after generation.

Today, the fair still celebrates local life. While the main streets bustle with traders and shows, the spirit of real craft continues behind workshop doors too. This keeps alive an even older tradition — the craft of woodturning. If you’d like to explore its story in Ireland, from ancient beginnings to how it’s practised today, take a look at Discover Woodturning in Ireland: Then, Now & Beyond.

Welcome to Puck Fair!

Puck Fair — Woodturning — Where Old Meets New

When you visit Kerry for Puck Fair, you’re stepping into a place where old crafts are still very much alive. I’m based just a short drive away in Tralee, but my family originally hails from Killorglin. I have a huge connection to this small town. In my workshop, I work with Irish hardwoods — including some wood from Killorglin — to create bowls, boards, ring holders, and other pieces you won’t find in any tourist shop.

I also featured some of Kerry’s finest makers in Exploring the Beauty of Irish Craft Gifts, a post celebrating authentic Irish craftsmanship that’s worth a look if you enjoy handmade work.

My studio is open — by appointment — for people who want to see the craft up close. You can learn how a log goes through pre-production and drying before becoming a polished bowl or ornament. Or, you might want to try your hand at turning wood yourself. Maybe you'd like to pick up a souvenir — something uniquely Kerry made.

A Festival Break With a Difference

Puck Fair is lively. You’ll hear music until late, find all kinds of stalls, have a few sociable drinks, and probably come home with a few stories. But if you fancy a break from the crowds, a couple of hours in my quiet workshop might be exactly what you need.

And if you’re ever stuck for ideas when Father’s Day rolls around, Unique Father’s Day Gift Idea: Woodturning Tuition in Kerry shows how an experience like this makes a great present too.

I offer one-to-one woodturning tuition for beginners. Alternatively, you can book an experience to watch a piece being made and learn about the wood I use — all sourced here in Kerry.

Bring Home More Than a Souvenir

Plenty of visitors pick up a trinket or a mass-produced “Irish” gift (made in China) at the fair. However, there’s something different about taking home a piece made in a real workshop. Each piece I make carries the story of where the wood came from — often storm-felled trees from local land — and the time it takes to bring it to life.

If you’d like to take a piece of real Kerry craft home, you can browse my handcrafted products here. If you spent a little too much time at the bar, you can find a great apology gift for the Missus on my Ring Holder page here.

Ornament Making Experience

In Closing

So if you’re planning a trip to Puck Fair, why not add something truly unique to your visit? Drop me a message to arrange a visit, see the lathe in action, or even turn a piece yourself. Take a bit of Kerry’s living craft home with you.

If you’d like to understand more about what drives craftspeople like me, Why Woodturning Is More Than Just Making Things gives an honest look at what makes this work so rewarding.

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you in my workshop soon! David

About the Author

I’m David Condon, a woodturner and small business owner based in Tralee, Co. Kerry. I’ve been working with wood for most of my life — 11 years as a carpenter and over a decade running my own woodturning business.

During that time, I’ve worked with Irish hardwoods, taught woodturning, and run my workshop full-time. On this site, I share the same knowledge I pass on to my students — from choosing the right wood and tools to finishing techniques that make every project shine.

I also stock a carefully chosen range of turning blanks, tools, and craft supplies that I use every day in my own work. You can explore more of my handcrafted pieces and classes at David Condon Woodcraft.

© David Condon Woodcraft – All Rights Reserved.

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I used to run ads on my website to generate a small income, but they slowed things down and didn’t really suit the feel of what I’m building here. So I’ve removed them in favour of something simpler and more personal — a “Buy Me a Coffee” button.

If you found this post interesting, helpful, or even just enjoyable, feel free to use the link below to show your support. No pressure at all — but every little bit helps, and it’s always genuinely appreciated. As a small independent maker, I rely on a mix of teaching, crafting, and sharing to keep things going. This is just one way to help keep the shavings flying. Thanks so much!

More Pages to Explore

• Household Woodcraft Gifts - Discover my range of Household Woodcraft for everyday use or special occasions, each crafted with care from exquisite Irish hardwood.

• New Crafter's Haven - Browse a large selection of craft supplies I also sell, including gift bags and ribbon that would accentuate my wood products when giving as a gift.

• Food Serving - Explore my range of Food-Safe Irish Hardwood Bowls & Serving Boards!

Original content © David Condon Woodcraft — Written by David Condon. Please credit and link if shared.