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School: Inch, Borris

Location:
Clanagh, Co. Carlow
Teacher:
Michael J. O'Donoghue
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0903, Page 627

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0903, Page 627

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  1. XML School: Inch, Borris
  2. XML Page 627
  3. XML “The Potato Crop”
  4. XML “Festival Customs”

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  2. Festival Customs

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    In each district in Ireland there is some custom for each feast day. One of the great days of the year is St. Stephen's. On that day a number of boys go in a procession from house to house with decorated holly and ivy and dress themselves in dresses and any old clothes they could get. When they go into a house they begin to sing the wren song which is as follows:
    The wren, the wren the king of all birds.
    St. Stephen's day he was caught in the furze.
    Although he was little his honour was great,
    Get up long laddy and give us a treat,
    Up with the kettle and down with the pan,
    Give us a penny to bury the wren.
    St. Patrick's day the 17th March in honour of our patron Saint, St. Patrick. On that day everybody wears a bunch of shamrock because it was with the shamrock that he taught the Irish people the mystery of the Trinity.
    (continues on next page)
    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
    Martin Lennon
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Cournellan, Co. Carlow
    Informant
    Owen Foley
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Gowlin, Co. Carlow