The Fair of Muff is one of the great traditional horse fairs in Ireland. It takes place in the townland of Muff near Kingscourt in County Cavan.
Traditional site of the Fair of Muff
This junction is the traditional location of the Fair of Muff which takes place every year on August 12th. Horse buyers and sellers gather here to strike deals. Traders line the roads and serve sweets and snacks to the fair goers.
Traditional site of the Fair of Muff
Traditional site of the Fair of Muff
This junction is the traditional location of the Fair of Muff which takes place every year on August 12th. Horse buyers and sellers gather here to strike deals. Traders line the roads and serve sweets and snacks to the fair goers.
The fair takes place on August 12th each year. It has been held since the 17th century. Until about 1850 the fair lasted a week or more. A different breed of livestock - cattle, sheep, pigs etc. - was sold on each day. From the mid-1900s the fair took place on one day only and the only livestock for sale were horses.
The fair was also a special occasion for people from the travelling community. They would come to Muff a week before the fair began. Each family had a certain place where they would camp each year. In the evenings people would gather around the fires in the travellers' camp to listen to songs and stories.