School: Baile Uí Argáin, Cill Moicheallóg (roll number 7237)
- Location:
- Ballyorgan, Co. Limerick
- Teacher: A. Ó Hódhráin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0511, Page 090
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- On St Stephens day boys and men gather together and go around from house to house singing the wren song. The song is:- The wren the wren the King of all bairds,
St Stephens day he was caught in the furze,
Although he was little his family was great,
Now stand up young ladies and give a treat.This is the wren that you will see
stiff and stout in a holly tree.
A bunch of roses by his side
the Ballyorgan boys will be his bride,
And now Mrs so and so your a good hearted one,
Unto your house I brought this wren.
An ivy bush and a holly tree,
In Ballyorgan town I broke my knee,
Up with the kettle and down with pan,
A penny or two will bury the wren.Money is gathered on that day and they share it between them.
It is the custom on St Brigids day to put out a black cloth in a hedge. It is said in the morning it would be blessed. This is called the Brath Breide. The custom during Shrove is for people go get married. It is the custom on Ash Wednsday for the priest to bless ashes and make the sign of the Cross on the forehead. On Chalk Sunday people who did not get married are chalked. On the first of May people make Pisogues. On St Johns night a bonfire is lighted. On Hallowe'ven's night people have snap apples.
- Informant
- Mrs E. Mac Carthy
- Gender
- Female
- Age
- 46
- Address
- Keale, Co. Limerick
