School: Gormanstown, Árd Fhíonáin (roll number 5615)

Location:
Baile Uí Ghormáin, Co. Thiobraid Árann
Teacher:
Peadar de Mhóiréis
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0572, Page 438

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0572, Page 438

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  1. XML School: Gormanstown, Árd Fhíonáin
  2. XML Page 438
  3. XML “The Wren Boys”

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  1. The Wren Boys
    On St. Stephen's Day every year, boys and young men go hunting the wren. They go around from house to house asking for money to bury the wren. They sing songs and play music. The usual song they have is :-
    The wren, the wren, the king of all birds
    St. Stephen's he was caught in the furze
    Although he is little his family is great
    Rise up dear people and give us a treat.
    Then the people of the house give them money and they go away to another house and act the same way.
    They travel miles on that day and they get a lot of money. Then they return home very tired and weary.
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. ócáidí
      1. ócáidí (de réir trátha bliana) (~11,476)
        1. Féile Stiofáin (~402)
    Language
    English
    Informant
    Mr S. Clutterbuck
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Cill Ghruaige Mhór, Co. Thiobraid Árann