School: Carrickallen

Location:
Carrickallen, Co. Cavan
Teacher:
A. Lynch
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1022, Page 222

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1022, Page 222

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  3. XML “Festival Customs”

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  1. On St Stephens day the young men of this district gather toghe together in bands varying from six to twelve and hunt and kill the wren.
    They go around in procession, some dressed like old women, others as old men carrying the dead wren in a box with them.
    They go from door to door giving entertainment in the way of singing, playing French-fiddles , Fifes and also dancing expecting some money in return.
    The following is the wren rhyme repeated in this district.
    The wren, the wren, the king of all birds.
    St Stephens day, was caught in the furze
    Although she is small her family is great
    Rise up land ladies and give as a "trate"
    Its not a "trate" we want but money we crave
    So up with the skillet and down with the pan.
    A penny or two pence to bury the wren.
    St. Brigid's Day.
    The feast of St. Brigid is on the 1st
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Teresa Clarke
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Tullyunshin, Co. Cavan