School: Ballyadams (roll number 894)
- Location:
- Baile Adaim, Co. Laoise
- Teacher: P. Ó Bruadair
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0836, Page 115
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- XML “St Stephen's Night”
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- (continued from previous page)They put masks on their faces so that no one will recognise them. Usually about five go in a bunch.
When they go to a house they walk in without knocking. One carries a melodian or mouth organ or some kind of musical instrument and plays. The others dance. When they talk to the people of the house they disguise their voices. They usually remain in each house about five minutes. Before they leave they get money any amount up to 1 shilling from the people of the house. Sometimes the people of the house dance with the "Wren Boys". The money collected during the night after visiting a number of houses is divided between the "Wren Boys". The person eating no meat on St Stephens Day will not suffer from Headache or Toothache for a year.
