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School: Marlfield, Cluain Meala

Location:
Marlfield, Co. Tipperary
Teacher:
Mary E. Skally
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0567, Page 219

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0567, Page 219

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  1. XML School: Marlfield, Cluain Meala
  2. XML Page 219
  3. XML “St Stephen's Day”

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  1. St Stephen's Day

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    St. Stephen's day is the "wren boys" day in Ireland, and old custom which is dying out. In olden days this custom used to be very popular amongst all classes. On this morning people used to look forward to see the "wren boys" with all their antics and fancy dress.
    Twenty or more used to take part in this custom with music of all kinds. Some dressed as old men some as girls or old women. They used to start from some appointed place early in the morning.
    One of the men carried a decorated holly bush with a live wren tied on to it. Then they would go on to each house singing and playing the "wren song" the words of this song are
    "The wren the wren
    The king of all birds
    St. Stephen's day
    She was caught in the furze
    Although she is little
    (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
    Pierce Kirby
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Marlfield, Co. Tipperary