School: Clochar na Trócaire, Béal Átha na Sluagh

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1. Festival Customs (continued)

   

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   dress up in old clothes and carry a holly bush and place a dead wren on it. Then then go round to every house, dancing, singing and gathering money. There is a story told about St. Stephen. When he was going to be stoned, he hid behind a bush and when the soldiers were looking for him a wren flew out of the bushes. Then the soldiers knew there was something there and they searched and found St. Stephen. Ever since the wren is killed on St. Stephen's Day. When the "mummers" go around they sing this rime
   "The wren, the wren
   The King of all birds
   On St. Stephen's Day
   He was caught in the furze
   Up with the kettle
   And down with the pan
   Give us a penny
   To bury the wren".
   New Year's Day:- The people go round on New Year's Day at midnight, playing the band to say farewell to the old year to welcome the new year.
   January 6th is sometimes called "Little Christmas"

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Mrs D. Mc Guire

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Pollboy, Co. Galway