School: Rathwire (C.) (roll number 8416)

Location:
Rathwire, Co. Westmeath
Teacher:
Mrs. Caffrey
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0727, Page 418

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0727, Page 418

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  3. XML “Customs”

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  1. There is an old custom connected with St. Stephen's Day.
    In many parts of the country boys go from house to house in great numbers. They are called "Wren Boys". They get a holly bush and decorate it with various colours of ribbons. Some boys have a box with feathers in it pretending they have a wren.
    These boys do not wear their usual clothes. They wear different sorts of dresses because they do not wish to be known. People have great fun trying to find the identity of them. They colour their faces but some boys have false beards. They wear paper hats or
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. activities
      1. medical practice
        1. folk medicine (~11,815)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Agnes Gorman
    Gender
    Female
    Age
    15
    Address
    Knockmant, Co. Westmeath