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School: Portlaoighse (Convent) (roll number 13386)

Location:
Port Laoise, Co. Laois
Teacher:
Sr Treasa
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0835, Page 092

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0835, Page 092

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  3. XML “The Wren Boys”

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  1. The Wren Boys

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    On St. Stephens day boys and men go around asking for money. They are gaily dressed and have blackened faces or masks. They carry a bush decorated with coloured papers and ribbons, and sing a song at each house. These are called wren boy's.
    In olden times bandsmen followed by a large crowd visited the houses of the wealthy and played music in front of the hall door. The people of the house looked out of the windows. One man was dressed up as a clown. He had a long stick with a cloth attached to the end of it. When the band stopped playing
    (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
    Collector
    Dorcas O Mahony
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Port Laoise, Co. Laois
    Informant
    Mr O Mahony
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Port Laoise, Co. Laois