The hours spent by the wild mountain goat on a high stand overlooking Killorglin at the annual Puck Fair are to be severely curtailed next month.
Concerns about the welfare of the goat in a metal cage during a heatwave last year dominated the headlines and the animal was removed on a number of occasions amid fears he would overheat.
However the changes to the ancient tradition are coming under fire locally and "feelings are running very high", according to a local representative who has warned that a way of life is under threat from animal rights and other pressure.
For hundreds of years, the wild mountain puck or male-goat has spent three days and three nights on a 50 foot stand in Killorglin, Co Kerry.
But this year King Puck's enthronement will involve a token visit to his stand, after his coronation on 10 August. He will be raised again on Scattering or closing day on 12 August.
The fair committee said Puck was evolving and taking account of changing concerns.
"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," the chairman of Puck Fair festival committee Declan Falvey said.
"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," he said.
In line with previous years, the goat will continue to be overseen and checked by a vet throughout the three days.
However, the radical change to the 400-year-old festival is causing concern locally and is being attributed to "unbelievable pressure" by animal rights groups and the media.
Such pressure is a threat to ancient traditions, Fianna Fáil Councillor, Michael Cahill said.
The Puck Fair committee have been put in an impossible position, "between the media pressure from so called animal rights protesters and the commercial pressure from corporate sponsors, who fear controversy", Mr Cahill said.
Feelings were "running very high" around the Killorglin/mid and south Kerry region because of this decision, he said.
"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.
The committee had come under unbelievable pressure from people complaining about how the Puck goat is treated and from sponsors, who fear controversy, Mr Cahill said.
The goat was always well treated, he added.
