School: Cnoc na Manach, An Mhainistir Bhán, Cionn tSáile (roll number 1391)
- Location:
- Cnoc na Manach, Co. Chorcaí
- Teacher: Dáithí de Barra
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0321, Page 105
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- The young boys have a custom all to themselves on St Stephen's Day. Early in the morning they go out to sing the wren. They prepare before hand on Christmas Day by going in bands armed with large sticks hunting the wren in order to get one to hang on the holly bush. On St Stephen's Day they dress themselves in all kinds of funny clothes. Some blacken their faces while others wear funny masks.The holly bush is also decorated with coloured papers and ribbons. They travel from house to house in bands of 4 or 5. One carries a small tin box to hold the money. At each door they sing the song of the wren, at the same time shaking the holly bush and rattling the money box. When their journey is finished the money is counted and divided equally amongst the members of the group. The money is spent in buying sweets and other nice things and the parents receive some of it. I
The wren, the wren the king of all birds
St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze
Although he is little his family is great:
Rise up Mr. ________ and give us a treat.Chorus
Rory Rory where's your nest
Behind the bush that I love best(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Pauline Barry
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- An Tiobraid, Co. Chorcaí
- Informant
- D.M. Barry
- Gender
- Unknown
- Age
- 60
- Address
- An Tiobraid, Co. Chorcaí
