School: N. Breandáin, Cathair na Mart
- Location:
- Westport, Co. Mayo
- Teacher: Pádhraic A. Ó Módhráin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0088, Page 276
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- Festival Customs
On St. Stephen’s Day some boys go from house to house with a small piece of holly which they have decorated with paper ribbons. Two or three go together at 9 o’clock and when they come to any dwelling house they knock at the door and say the wren:“The wren, the wren.
The king of all birds
St. Stephen’s Day she was caught in the forge
Up with the kettle
Down with the pan.
Give me some money to bury the wren.
If you haven’t a penny, a halfpenny will do.
If you haven’t a halfpenny, God bless you.”“Mummers” are people who go round to the houses on November night and they disguise their voices so that they will not be known. They dance and play a mouth-organ or a melodeon. They dress in such a way as they will not be known.(continues on next page)
