School: Ballinahowen (roll number 8646)
- Location:
- Ballynahown, Co. Westmeath
- Teacher: T. Hanly
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- XML “Festival Customs - St Stephen's Day”
- XML “Festival Customs - May Day”
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- On St. Stephen's Day boys and men go from house to house dancing and playing music in many districts. They are called the wren boys. They have a branch of holly with the wrens' feathers tied on the top of it. They wear torn clothes and "vizards" and the people give them money. When evening comes they divide the money equally and buy sweets and fruit. They also sing the wren song.
The wren the wren the king of all birds
St Stephen's Day she was caught in the furze
Although she is little her family is great,
Rise up fair lady and give us a treat,
So up with the kettle and down with the pan,
Give us our answer and let us be gone." - It is a local custom on May(continues on next page)