School: Flower Hill (roll number 12788)

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1. Local Customs - St Stephen's Day

   

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   St. Stephen's Day falls 26th December. For a week or so before that day boys go round the bushes and chase a wren. When he is caught he is killed and nailed to a stick which is carried in the procession on St. Stephen's Day. All the boys dress up in funny costumes and go to the houses singing:- "The wren, the wren, the king of all birds, On St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze, Up with the kettle and down with the (?), And give us some money to bury the wren." They also sing:- "The wren, the wren the king of all birds,

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   Topics

   1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)
         1. Feast of St Stephen (~402)

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Stanley Elliott

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Flower Hill, Co. Meath