School: Coill na Leac
- Location:
- Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan
- Teacher: P. Mac Geibheannaigh
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0976, Page 088
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- XML School: Coill na Leac
- XML Page 088
- XML “Holly”
- XML “St Stephen's Day”
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- At Christmas the people gather holly with red berries on it in honour of Christ the King, and they put it up in their houses until after old christmas day.
- St Stephen's day is the second day of Christmas, and it is the custom yet for the grown boys to go around with the wren in a small box from door to door, to make some money, and they do have old clothes and paper hats on them. When they rap at the door, the words they use are.
The wren, the wren, the king of all birds St Stephen's day she was caught in the furze
Supposing she is small her faily is great.
So rise up mistress and give us a treat.
If the treat is too small it will not serve us all
And we'll bury the wren at your door. - Collector
- Kathleen Cusack
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- Derryleague, Co. Cavan
