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School: Naomh Peadar, Droichead Átha (roll number 11072)

Location:
Drogheda, Co. Louth
Teacher:
S. Mac Maoláin
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0680, Page 095

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0680, Page 095

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  1. XML School: Naomh Peadar, Droichead Átha
  2. XML Page 095
  3. XML “Festival Customs - St Stephen's Day”

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  1. Festival Customs - St Stephen's Day

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    On St Stephens Day it is a custom in this district for a number of boys to dress themselves up in fancy costumes and false faces and go around with a bush and a dead wren in it collecting money at people's door. They recite this rhyme:-
    "The "wran", "the wran" the king of all birds
    On Stephens Day it was caught in the furze
    Up with a "kittle" and down with the pan
    A penny or twopence to bury the "wran".
    or
    Up with the kittle & down with the plate
    Rise up good lady & give us a "trate".
    When the children collect enough money the have a "spree".
    In the evening young men go about singing and dancing to the accompaniment of musical instruments and collecting money.
    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
    Richard Dobson
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Railway Terrace, Co. Louth