School: Berrings (Measctha) (roll number 4186)

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1. Local Customs (continued)

   

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   as that day is one when the family gather together and talk about the events of the past year. On Xmas Day those who can afford it have a turkey or a goose for their dinner. Those who are away from home try to come home if possible for Christmas Day more so than any other time of the year. It is the custom of the youngsters of this district to hunt the wren on Christmas Day.
   On St. Stephens Day the youngsters of this parish get a holly bush and they decorate it with ribbons. They also put a bit of moss on the bush and they pretend they have the wren in nest of moss. They go from house to house collecting money and at the same time singing the song-
   "The wren, the wren the king of all birds,
   St. Stephens Day he was caught in the furze.
   From bush to bush, from tree to tree,
   At Carrigaline he broke his knee.
   Up with the kettle and down with the pot,
   Give us our answer and let us be off".
   When evening comes they buy food with the money which they collected.
   On New Years Eve many people remain up until midnight to bring in the new year. Candles are also light on this night.
   On New years Day people wish each other a happy and a prosperous new year.
   The 6th of January is often called Little Christmas or the

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Con O Herlihy

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Berrings, Co. Cork