School: Clochar na Trócaire, Leac an Anfa, Cathair na Mart
- Location:
- Leckanvy, Co. Mayo
- Teacher: An tSr. Treasa
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0138, Page 111
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- XML School: Clochar na Trócaire, Leac an Anfa, Cathair na Mart
- XML Page 111
- XML “Festival Customs - St Stephen's Day”
- XML “Festival Customs - New Year's Day”
- XML “Festival Customs - Feast of Epiphany”
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- The boys from each village "go, as they express it, in the wren." They dress up in fantastic colours, wear false beards and carry a box supposed to hold the wren. The children here, as a rule, do not catch the poor wren though they carry the box and play a game of pretence. From house to house they travel standing outside each door repeating rhymes and playing on a mouth organ. These are the verses used in this locality."The wren, the wren, the king of all birds.
St Stephen's Day she was caught in the furze,
Up with the kettle and down with the pan.
Gve us some money to bury the wren."The two last lines are sometimes replaced by these:"Although she was little her family was great
Stand up landlady and give us a treat."The boys get a few pence, sometimes sixpence in each house. When evening comes they count the money and divide it equally between them.
- The old custom of wishing "A happy New Year" prevails. Some old superstitions say that if you are sad or joyful this day you will be likewise all the year round. It is regarded as one of the great Christmas feasts.
- Commonly called "Twelfth Night"
Twelve candles - small coloured ones - are lighted(continues on next page)
