Pattern of success as Kenmare hosts annual Fair Day

ONE of the perks of living in Kerry is that as soon as one fair ends another one usually begins and this time it was destination Kenmare where a fair - believed to be older than Solomon himself made it a memorable August 15 for the throngs of people that turned out to stroll the quaint streets and display their wares and animals.

“The atmosphere was just brilliant and we had thousands on the streets all day long and it’s great credit to the Gardaí, volunteers and the Tidy Towns group who had Kenmare looking pristine again the next day,” said Cllr Dan McCarthy.

This is one fair etched in everyone’s calendar, both in Kenmare and its surrounding parishes. A gathering where people venture to the town from near and far to buy and sell everything from cattle, horses, donkeys, goats, sheep, hens and ducks – with swishing tails and no shortage of long tales!

Timing is nothing if not essential in staging outdoor events and lucky for Kenmare the sun and high temperatures were among Pattern Day’s most welcome visitors. But signs of the year’s turning were never far away and a brisk ‘thresher’ wind – a much feared late summer wind in olden times that damaged the harvest - kept things cool.

“When I was growing up August 15 was always the biggest day in Kenmare and if you had relatives abroad they would come home for the day. This is a fair that doesn’t have an organising committee as people just show up on the day. Given the size and popularity of the fair, it might be worth getting a committee together in the future as this is a great way advertising Kenmare,” added Dan.

Later that night the bars and restaurants of Kenmare were packed with people intent on enjoying the last of summer’s offerings as the streets slowly emptied of the day’s hustle and bustle, all watched over by a pleasant harvest moon.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Dylan O’Connor and Connie O’Donoghue with their horse for sale at the Annual 15th August Fair Day in Kenmare on Monday.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Aoibhe, Cian, Ray and Righan Kelleher with Denis O’Sullivan Kenmare enjoying the fine weather at the Annual 15th August Fair Day in Kenmare on Monday.

Judy Lynch Newcastlewest showing a little rabbit to Alex and Patrick Kelleher Kilgarvan

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Enjoying the Annual 15th August Fair Day in Kenmare on Monday.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Paudie, Frank and Johnny Cronin at the Annual 15th August Fair Day in Kenmare on Monday.

PHOTOS BY MICHELLE COOPER GALVIN Holly O’Connor, Geraldine and Jim Woods Ballyhahill with John Joe Murphy Barraduff at the Annual August 15 Fair Day in Kenmare on Monday.

Cillian Kelleher from Kilgarvan is shown a little chick by his Dad Patrick.

Mike Moore, Limerick, with Hugh O’Donoghue Muckross Killarney