School: Galmoy

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1. Festival Customs

   

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   There are many feasts observed in aspecial manner in my locality. The most important one is Saint Stephen's Day. It is spoken of for a long time before it actually arrives. At that time the majority of the people are in great humour and are very happy because the feast occurs immediately after Christmas which is a time of great joy.
   On Saint Stephen's day young collect in large numbers to hunt the wren. They dress themselves in all classes of attire. Some of them wear dresses of different colours and cover their faces with masks which them a funny appearance. They also carry a bough on which is tied a wren. Some of them have a musical instruments.
   They go from house to house, play music and dance. They then sing a verse or two of a song which is composed for the occasion. The song is as follows :-

   The wren, the wren, the king of all birds.
   On Saint Stephens day he was caught in the furze,
   Although he is little his family is great,
   I pray you good lady give us a treat,
   My box would speak if it had but a tongue
   And a penny or two would do it no wrong,
   A drop just to speak would drown melancholy

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

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

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Bridie Phelan

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Galmoy, Co. Kilkenny

   Informant

   William Hawkins

   Relation

   Parent

   Gender

   Male