Killorglin is expected to rejoin the Republic of Ireland later today, after its short annual flirtation with monarchy. The mid-Kerry town seceded on Saturday and controversially installed a male mountain goat as "the only king of Ireland".
But sources close to the Puck Fair organising committee predicted the king would be deposed bloodlessly this evening, after a three-day reign, and driven into exile (in a trailer).
The return to constitutional normality means an end to the extended opening hours and unrestrained revelry that have marked life in the town under goat rule. In other respects, however, the short-lived head of state will not be missed. The king may have occupied an exalted position on a platform over Main Street, but it wasn't so exalted that you couldn't smell him every time the wind changed.
Killorglin was thronged for the first two days of an event thought to date from the pre-Christian era. But Puck Fair 2002 was marked by one notable departure from tradition, with the "Gathering Day" horse fair held outside the town.
Traffic congestion and the increasing risk of injury to fair-goers forced the move which, although unpopular with traders and publicans, was judged a success by the organisers.
Traders on Saturday included the former Tánaiste, Mr Dick Spring. In scenes of Labour Party horse-trading not witnessed since the Rainbow Coalition, he was seeking a home for two Connemara ponies, bred by himself and his daughter Laura. But when asked what the price was, Mr Spring stuck with Kerry custom and responded with a question: "I couldn't be telling you that, could I?"
The goat will be dethroned today - "Scattering Day" - amid fears for the future of the monarchy. Festival goat catcher Frank Joy has criticised culling of wild goats in the Rossbeigh Mountains, which reduced numbers to nine from 23. One of the nine will be back there tonight, and relieved locals may conclude that while the nearby Macgillycuddy Reeks, at least nothing else does.
