School: Rathdowney (B.) (roll number 15595)
- Location:
- Rathdowney, Co. Laois
- Teacher: Peter Hegarty
![The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0827, Page 373](https://doras.gaois.ie/cbes/CBES_0827%2FCBES_0827_373.jpg?width=1600&quality=85)
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0827, Page 373
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- XML School: Rathdowney (B.)
- XML Page 373
- XML “Local Festivals”
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- St, Stephen's Day is a great festival around here. All the boys go from house to house with coloured ribbons tied to a holly bush and a dead wren in the middle. This is the song they sing.
"The wren,the wren the king of all birds
On St, Stephen's Day she was caught in the furze
Although he is little his family is great
I pray you good lady to give us a treat.
II;
My box would speak if it had but a tongue
A penny or two would do it no wrong
Sing holly sing ivy sing ivy sing holly
A drop just to drink would drown(continues on next page)- Collector
- George Bourke
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Rathdowney, Co. Laois
- Informant
- Mrs Leahy
- Gender
- Female
- Age
- 75
- Address
- Rathdowney, Co. Laois