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  3. Flower Hill

School: Flower Hill (roll number 12788)

Location:
Flower Hill, Co. Meath
Teacher:
Isabel Mc Quade
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0700, Page 347

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0700, Page 347

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  3. XML “Local Customs - St Stephen's Day”

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  1. Local Customs - St Stephen's Day

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    St. Stephen's Day falls 26th December. For a week or so before that day boys go round the bushes and chase a wren. When he is caught he is killed and nailed to a stick which is carried in the procession on St. Stephen's Day. All the boys dress up in funny costumes and go to the houses singing:-
    "The wren, the wren, the king of all birds,
    On St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze,
    Up with the kettle and down with the (?),
    And give us some money to bury the wren."
    They also sing:-
    "The wren, the wren the king of all birds,
    (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)
        1. Feast of St Stephen (~402)
    Language
    English
    Informant
    Stanley Elliott
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Flower Hill, Co. Meath