Question for all the Irish members

[macwilkin]

Could you explain the Wren Boys to me? I know it has something to do with a bird and going door-to-door, but I'd like to know what it all means. Thanks!

From the BBC web site:

Hunting the wren was a custom once performed as a real hunt, in which a bird was caught and killed and taken in procession, accompanied by costumed men with blackened faces, either on a pole, or in a coffin from door to door. Offerings were collected, after which the wren was ceremonially buried or eaten. Songs such as 'The Cutty Wren', tell of the hunting of the wren. The wren in the song appears to be of enormous proportions, and thus a great deal of effort has to be expended in its killing and eating.

Although wrens are no longer caught and killed, this ceremony survives as a type of mumming play in Ireland and stems from an Irish-speaking tradition. In some parts the participants are called mummers, in others, 'wren boys'. Traditionally these plays take place on St Stephen's Day, which is on 26th December.

-- http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A655526/

The Chieftains, in particular Kevin Coneff and the Voice Squad, do a great rendition of "The Wren Song" on their Christmas album, "The Bells of Dublin".

Happy St. Stephen's (or Boxing) Day, btw!

Cheers,

Todd