School: St Anne's, Easkey (roll number 13968)
- Location:
- Easky, Co. Sligo
- Teacher: Cáit Nic Eoin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0165, Page 161
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On this page
- Local Festival Customs
The season of Christmas is the very greatest Festival season of the year in this neighbourhood. All people big and small look forward to this time of the year. When the rush of preparation for Christmas Day is over, and friends have exchanged gifts and greetings, the younger folk get ready for St Stephen's Day.
They are disguised by wearing old clothes, and veils over their faces, old hats, old shoes and everything else that will help to make them unknown. They travel in small companies from house to house collecting money for themselves.
These boys and girls are called "Wren Boys". Before money is given to these "Boys" they are expected to dance, sing and recite. A well known verse of theirs is -
The wren, the wren, the King of all birds
St Stephen's Day she was caught in the furze.
Rise up landlady and give us a trate
And if your trate is of the best.(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Annie Morrison
- Gender
- Female
