School: Radharc na Féile (roll number 14156)

Location:
Abbeyfeale West, Co. Limerick
Teacher:
Tadhg Mac Coitir
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0495, Page 093

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0495, Page 093

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  1. XML School: Radharc na Féile
  2. XML Page 093
  3. XML “Wren's Day”

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  1. 'Tis a local custom with us to dress up in various coloured suits on St. Stephen's day and go gathering money to bury the wren. Like many other customs we inherited from our forefathers but lately young girls dress up as well as the boys and enlarge the band.
    Previous to that day all the youths armed with sticks and stones raid the hedges to capture the wren but sometimes their raids are futile.
    When they succeed the wren is (placed) arrayed in a holly bough lined with moss. The captain raises this aloft while the (cubs) others throng to his heels like the cubs following the fox.
    Now and again you might come upon a band on bicycles but generally they travel on foot. Some play fiddles melodeons while others step-dance on the flag.
    Sometimes this verse is sung on entering
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)
        1. Feast of St Stephen (~402)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Thomas Lane
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Abbeyfeale Hill, Co. Limerick