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School: Kilnaleck (B.)

Location:
Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan
Teacher:
P. Ó Máirtín
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0994, Page 093

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0994, Page 093

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  1. XML School: Kilnaleck (B.)
  2. XML Page 093
  3. XML “St Stephen's Day Customs”

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  1. St Stephen's Day Customs

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    The young people of this neighbourhood assemble and organise groups of "Wren Boys" and on St. Stephens Day travel from house to house collecting money.
    These youths are dressed in fantastic costumes and wear masks.
    A violin or flute or a mouth-organ provides the music for dancing.
    On reaching a house the "Rhyme of the Wren" is recited,
    The wren the wren the King of all birds
    St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze
    Although she is little her family is great
    Stand up land lady and give us a treat
    We followed the wren three miles or more.
    Shoes and stockings are almost worn
    Up with the kettle and down with the pan
    Three half-pence or twopence to bury the wren.
    (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)
        1. Feast of St Stephen (~402)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Sean Mc Gee
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan
    Informant
    Mrs J. Mc Gee
    Gender
    Female
    Age
    43
    Address
    Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan