On December 26, Irish have celebrated ‘Wren Day’ for generations past. A look again at this post.
A Troupe of Wren Boys in Ireland (Image Creative Commons)
When I first came to live in Limerick some 30 years ago, I was totally astonished to have dozens of musicians and dancers arriving into my house throughout St Stephen’s Day, 26 December. From about 10 am onwards, they arrived. The earliest were small groups of local children with their musical instruments, often as young as 5 or 6 years of age. The great cultural network of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, active across much of Ireland, ensures that there are musicians in abundance of all ages to take part in events. In parts of Ireland, St Stephen’s Day,or Lá Fhéile Stiofán in Irish, is known as ‘Lá an Dreoilín’, meaning the Day of the Wren or Wren’s Day. Announcing their arrival by loudly playing the bodhran (an Irish drum) as they make their way towards the door, and with barely enough time to shut the startled…
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It’s such a pity that the tradition had pretty much died. My mother always talked a lot about it.
Still alive and well in west Limerick although the calling to private houses has largely been replaced by calling to pubs instead!
I enjoyed reading it again! What a lovely tradition!
Thank you – happy New Year!
I’ve never heard of such a thing! It sounds amazing. I would love to have some Wren Boys parade through my house.
Yes its great alright..provided it is not pouring rain and they are all wet and muddy! This is what they look like on a dry day! https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F1392500560992955%2Fvideos%2F1858178704425136%2F&show_text=0&width=560