School: Brúgh Ríogh (C.) (roll number 10229)
- Location:
- Bruree, Co. Limerick
- Teacher: Siobhán, Bean Uí Chonaráin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0498, Page 069
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- XML School: Brúgh Ríogh (C.)
- XML Page 069
- XML “Festival Customs”
- XML “St Stephen's Day”
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On this page
- The days on which customs are observed locally are Saint Stephens day, Saint Patrick's Day, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, May Day, New Year's Eve and New Years Day.
- On Saint Stephen's day all the boys of this district dress up in funny clothes and go out hunting the wren with decorated bushes. Some of them go in groups of six or seven and sometimes they go singly. They go from house to house singing and capering and playing music.
When they come to the door they play music and sing the following words - "The wren, the wren, the king of all birds, St. Stephen's day she was caught in the furze. Although she is little her family is great. Arise up lady and give us a treat.
We hunted this wren in frost and snow, through mud and water and far away,
From bush to bush and from tree to tree,(continues on next page)
