FabSwingers.com forum: The Wren…

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Did any of you here as children used to go on the wren on Stephen’s Day? As kids we did it for years but it would seem to be a dying/dead tradition at this stage…

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The Wren, always as a child

The tradition ha die out in most places but it’s still a big day in Dingle, until covid, with parades and music

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By *ohng69Man
over a year ago

athenry

Yes I did it for years with a friend. We walked for a few years but when we got bikes it opened up a bigger world for us. Happy times heading off early morning until it got dark

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By *aucyladMan
over a year ago

Dublin

I used to do it and would wait til afternoon and then call to the pubs also, used to clean up there! A few twigs and branches and some of my fathers old coats used to do the trick.

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By *aucyladMan
over a year ago

Dublin

The wren, the wren, the king of all birds,

St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze,

Although he was little his honour was great,

Jump up me lads and give him a treat.

Chorus:

Up with the kettle and down with the pan,

And give us a penny to bury the wren.

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By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

Can someone explain this to me I've no clue

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By *aucyladMan
over a year ago

Dublin

Wren Day, also known as Wren's Day, Day of the Wren, or Hunt the Wren Day (Irish: Lá an Dreoilín), is an Irish celebration held on 26 December, St. Stephen's Day in a number of countries across Europe. The tradition consists of "hunting" a wren (now a fake wren but previously a real one) and putting it on top of a decorated pole. Then the crowds of mummers, or strawboys, celebrate the wren (also pronounced wran)[1] by dressing up in masks, straw suits, and colourful motley clothing. They form music bands and parade through towns and villages. These crowds are sometimes called the wrenboys.

The tradition is closely related to Hunt the Wren on the Isle of Man, and versions may have been practised across the British Isles in the past

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By *onderingpurposeMan
over a year ago

Belfast

If you search for photos of wren boys from a long time ago they are terrifying little fellas.

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By *heMystroMan
over a year ago

Dublin

It’s a tradition that’s maintained in Sandymount Green in Dublin. Was still going last I heard. Remember it vividly when living there

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Was very big in rural Ireland. Often had a great day out visiting pubs and playing a few tunes.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Can someone explain this to me I've no clue"

It's a demanding money with menaces that predates the Americanised Halloween

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I haven't seen anyone doing the wren since the late 80s early 90s to be honest. It's a tradition that died off in a lot of the country.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I haven't seen anyone doing the wren since the late 80s early 90s to be honest. It's a tradition that died off in a lot of the country. "

I've definitely seen it here locally since moving back 20 years ago, but not for about a decade now

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By *ullseye100Man
over a year ago

Ireland

I’ve never even heard of it.

I did move to the uk in 1991 but I never remember anything about the wren.

Must have been the sheltered life I lived

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By *ealitybitesMan
over a year ago

Belfast

Never heard of it before this thread. Definitely wasn't something that ever happened around here.

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By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

"It’s a tradition that’s maintained in Sandymount Green in Dublin. Was still going last I heard. Remember it vividly when living there "

It's usually on the front of the papers tomorrow and on the news tonight from Sandymount

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By *ilderMan
over a year ago

dublin

I hope they take debit card now

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I haven't seen anyone doing the wren since the late 80s early 90s to be honest. It's a tradition that died off in a lot of the country.

I've definitely seen it here locally since moving back 20 years ago, but not for about a decade now"

I honestly haven't seen it where I grew up since those years. Guess more parts of the country kept it longer then others

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Never heard of it before this thread. Definitely wasn't something that ever happened around here."

Same here lol must be a South thing lol

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I hope they take debit card now

They’ll take anything these days!

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By *ocktailsdreamsMan
over a year ago

Edinburgh

Seen this post on Facebook earlier

The wren, the wren, king of the birds beyond these shores too...

"The wren was also known as the 'kuningilin' ('kinglet') in Old High German, a name associated with the fable of the election of the "king of birds". The bird that could fly to the highest altitude would be made king. The eagle outflew all other birds, but he was beaten by a small bird that had hidden in his plumage. This fable was already known to Aristotle (Historia Animalium 9.11) and Pliny (Natural History 10.95), and was taken up by medieval authors such as Johann Geiler von Kaisersberg, but it most likely originally concerned kinglets (Regulus) and was apparently motivated by the yellow "crown" sported by these birds (a point noted already by Ludwig Uhland). The confusion stemmed in part from the similarity and consequent interchangeability of the Ancient Greek words for the wren (ßas??e?? basileus, 'king') and the crest (ßas???s??? basiliskos, 'kinglet'), and the legend's reference to the "smallest of birds" becoming king likely led the title to be transferred to the equally tiny wren. In modern German, the name of the bird is 'Zaunkönig' ('king of the fence (or hedge)') and in Dutch, the name is 'winterkoning' ('king of winter').""

"The family name 'Troglodytidae' is derived from troglodyte, which means 'cave-dweller'. Wrens get their scientific name from the tendency of some species to forage in dark crevices."

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By *wisted DuoCouple
over a year ago

city

If you don't know what the wren is and grew up in Ireland. You need to pull your head out of your ass and take notice what is going on around you.

It gets covered by all major media sources every year.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Used to do myself and used make an absolute fortune going from pub to pub. Up until covid you would still get a few calling to local pubs.

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By *ealitybitesMan
over a year ago

Belfast

"If you don't know what the wren is and grew up in Ireland. You need to pull your head out of your ass and take notice what is going on around you.

It gets covered by all major media sources every year. "

I grew up in Ireland. It's never been a tradition in this part of the country and therefore never covered by the media but thanks for your advice.

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By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

Its actually on the new Vodafone ad

The one with the guy in Ireland and the woman coming home at Christmas.....he's dressed as a wren boy taking the straw hat off to say hello

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By *ustBoWoman
over a year ago

Somewhere in Co. Down

"If you don't know what the wren is and grew up in Ireland. You need to pull your head out of your ass and take notice what is going on around you.

It gets covered by all major media sources every year. "

Wow glad to see the Chris spirit is still alive and well.

And yes I know what the wren is but I haven't seen anything about it in donkeys years especially on major media services.

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By *wisted DuoCouple
over a year ago

city

https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/1217/1185007-wren-st-stephens-day-ireland-folklore-traditions-bad-luck/

Do you need another link to a more main stream media source or will this one do?

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By *ealitybitesMan
over a year ago

Belfast

"https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/1217/1185007-wren-st-stephens-day-ireland-folklore-traditions-bad-luck/

Do you need another link to a more main stream media source or will this one do?"

You seem a little triggered today.

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By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

"Wren Day, also known as Wren's Day, Day of the Wren, or Hunt the Wren Day (Irish: Lá an Dreoilín), is an Irish celebration held on 26 December, St. Stephen's Day in a number of countries across Europe. The tradition consists of "hunting" a wren (now a fake wren but previously a real one) and putting it on top of a decorated pole. Then the crowds of mummers, or strawboys, celebrate the wren (also pronounced wran)[1] by dressing up in masks, straw suits, and colourful motley clothing. They form music bands and parade through towns and villages. These crowds are sometimes called the wrenboys.

The tradition is closely related to Hunt the Wren on the Isle of Man, and versions may have been practised across the British Isles in the past"

Where does money come into it?

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By *ustBoWoman
over a year ago

Somewhere in Co. Down

"https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/1217/1185007-wren-st-stephens-day-ireland-folklore-traditions-bad-luck/

Do you need another link to a more main stream media source or will this one do?"

Like I said I know what it is .

And I wouldn't go as far as to call RTE main stream media as a lot of people gave up watching RTE years ago. But give yourselves a little pat on the back there for 'proving' your point well done and happy new year to you

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

About 20 years ago, myself and two mates would dress up in the most outlandish outfits, and with two guitars, go from pub to pub playing film and ballad, while the third member collected from the punters.

We made the equivalent of €700 to €800 for charity. Willie Bermingham's Alone if memory serves me right. As I say it was a long time ago, and I was younger then.

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By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

"About 20 years ago, myself and two mates would dress up in the most outlandish outfits, and with two guitars, go from pub to pub playing film and ballad, while the third member collected from the punters.

We made the equivalent of €700 to €800 for charity. Willie Bermingham's Alone if memory serves me right. As I say it was a long time ago, and I was younger then."

Whats this got to do with a wren ?

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By *wisted DuoCouple
over a year ago

city

"https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/1217/1185007-wren-st-stephens-day-ireland-folklore-traditions-bad-luck/

Do you need another link to a more main stream media source or will this one do?

Like I said I know what it is .

You are right RTE is nt a main stream media source

So how about the Belfast telegraph? Because according to some its not something that happens in Belfast

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/features/keeping-mumm-on-our-ancient-heritage-folk-tradition-dating-back-hundreds-of-200-years-kept-alive-by-band-of-devoted-artists-in-straw-disguise-41178644.html

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Whats this got to do with a wren ?"

We were wrenboys, Dressed up as wrenboys, That was part of the tradition of wren day in the Northeast. We used the wrenboys day as an opportunity to collect for charity.

I take it you are not aware of this tradition. In fairness it's all but dead now.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Why is the Wren tradition causing heads to boil .... i see these little birds in my garden every day and very peaceful they are

Be more like wren

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By *ealitybitesMan
over a year ago

Belfast

"https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/1217/1185007-wren-st-stephens-day-ireland-folklore-traditions-bad-luck/

Do you need another link to a more main stream media source or will this one do?

Like I said I know what it is .

You are right RTE is nt a main stream media source

So how about the Belfast telegraph? Because according to some its not something that happens in Belfast

You seem hell bent on proving a point.

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By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

Whats this got to do with a wren ?

We were wrenboys, Dressed up as wrenboys, That was part of the tradition of wren day in the Northeast. We used the wrenboys day as an opportunity to collect for charity.

I take it you are not aware of this tradition. In fairness it's all but dead now."

Did you carry a dead wren around? Or a fake wren?

I've never heard of all this before to be honest.

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By *affa31Woman
over a year ago

Galway

This thread really proves that anything on fab can end in an argument

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By *wisted DuoCouple
over a year ago

city

You seem hell bent on proving a point. "

More reaffirming that not knowing about the wren and growing up in Ireland is a result of having your head up your ass

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By *ealitybitesMan
over a year ago

Belfast

You seem hell bent on proving a point.

More reaffirming that not knowing about the wren and growing up in Ireland is a result of having your head up your ass"

Very thoughtful of you.

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By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

You seem hell bent on proving a point.

More reaffirming that not knowing about the wren and growing up in Ireland is a result of having your head up your ass"

I'm sure there are parts of Ireland where this isn't popular. There's no need to throw insults around.

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By *ilthyNightsCouple
over a year ago

East / North, Cork

"https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/1217/1185007-wren-st-stephens-day-ireland-folklore-traditions-bad-luck/

Do you need another link to a more main stream media source or will this one do?

Like I said I know what it is .

You are right RTE is nt a main stream media source

So how about the Belfast telegraph? Because according to some its not something that happens in Belfast

Quote from your article...

"... are not quite as mainstream and only those in the know are aware of their existence"

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By *ealitybitesMan
over a year ago

Belfast

"https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/1217/1185007-wren-st-stephens-day-ireland-folklore-traditions-bad-luck/

Do you need another link to a more main stream media source or will this one do?

Like I said I know what it is .

You are right RTE is nt a main stream media source

So how about the Belfast telegraph? Because according to some its not something that happens in Belfast

Quote from your article...

"... are not quite as mainstream and only those in the know are aware of their existence""

A bit like the Belfast Tele.

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By *wisted DuoCouple
over a year ago

city

There plenty of parts where it is not popular anymore.

But to not know what it and to have grown up in Ireland. Is an example of living in self-centered world.

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By *ealitybitesMan
over a year ago

Belfast

"There plenty of parts where it is not popular anymore.

But to not know what it and to have grown up in Ireland. Is an example of living in self-centered world."

The title of the thread is the Wren. In the North they were only ever referred to as mummers and had nothing to do with a wren on a stick. I've never heard of the Wren until this thread. Regardless, mummers have not gone around door to door up here in generations for numerous reasons including a 30 year period where we were rather busy with other things.

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By *oo32Man
over a year ago

tipperary

"There plenty of parts where it is not popular anymore.

But to not know what it and to have grown up in Ireland. Is an example of living in self-centered world."

What is the tradition of it?why on St Stephens day

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By *ed just RedWoman
over a year ago

Dublin City

"There plenty of parts where it is not popular anymore.

But to not know what it and to have grown up in Ireland. Is an example of living in self-centered world."

Wow. Did Santa not come or did you get coal or something? You’re really grumpy. Why don’t you have a nice cuppa tea and relax a little... hmm???

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

You seem hell bent on proving a point.

More reaffirming that not knowing about the wren and growing up in Ireland is a result of having your head up your ass"

Guess I grew up with my head up my arse that's told me

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By *aucyladMan
over a year ago

Dublin

Plenty of people don't know about it and that's ok, to suggest someone's head is up their ass is ridiculous. Some areas will enrich the tradition more than others over the years. There was a segment on rte last night from Dingle.

Another tradition is leaving the lights on in the house on both Xmas eve and new years eve.Not sure the eco friendly greens wil approve of that! These was another about throwing a loaf of bread out the back door on new years eve or something also....as we grow older we can lose tradition or something else replaces or more likely the older generation pass away and don't always pass it on.

Threads like that are different, also people need to remember many may not have grown up in Ireland or places where these traditions once shone bright.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

In parts of Connemara when there are funerals they stop at the corners of the cemetery and leave the coffin down, and move on. It goes back to famine to put animals of scent. It’s important to remember these acts including Wren. In my town we always referred to as mummers.

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By *ed just RedWoman
over a year ago

Dublin City

"In parts of Connemara when there are funerals they stop at the corners of the cemetery and leave the coffin down, and move on. It goes back to famine to put animals of scent. It’s important to remember these acts including Wren. In my town we always referred to as mummers. "

I saw that at a funeral about 20yrs ago. Broke my heart.

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By *ealitybitesMan
over a year ago

Belfast

"There plenty of parts where it is not popular anymore.

But to not know what it and to have grown up in Ireland. Is an example of living in self-centered world."

To answer the private message you just sent, no I don't feel triggered at all. Just bemused

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Wow everyday is a school day. Never heard of this till now.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Plenty of people don't know about it and that's ok, to suggest someone's head is up their ass is ridiculous. Some areas will enrich the tradition more than others over the years. There was a segment on rte last night from Dingle.

Threads like that are different, also people need to remember many may not have grown up in Ireland or places where these traditions once shone bright."

https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes

This is a collection of folklore compiled by schoolchildren in Ireland in the 1930s, sorted by region.

Some mad stuff used to go on lol

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

In our area it’s only our less fortunate brethren who partake, going into pubs. Shouting the half remembered words of the song before making there way back to there home on wheels to count the monies Boss

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By *risharrowMan
over a year ago

clare

I'd have done it as a child...

People are surprisingly generous to children dressed like no bodies child knocking on their door at 9 o'clock Stevens morning

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By *risharrowMan
over a year ago

clare

I'd hate to be doing it now. Your be lucky to make a fiver unless you had revolut, sad times

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By *ed just RedWoman
over a year ago

Dublin City

"There plenty of parts where it is not popular anymore.

But to not know what it and to have grown up in Ireland. Is an example of living in self-centered world.

To answer the private message you just sent, no I don't feel triggered at all. Just bemused

Noooooooo…. Holy crapola !!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I'd have done it as a child...

People are surprisingly generous to children dressed like no bodies child knocking on their door at 9 o'clock Stevens morning "

hahaha yes, co.clare

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By *risharrowMan
over a year ago

clare

"I'd have done it as a child...

People are surprisingly generous to children dressed like no bodies child knocking on their door at 9 o'clock Stevens morning

hahaha yes, co.clare

Its the unbroken, unenthusiastic voices that made people so generous

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By *andytownMan
over a year ago

Gods Own Country

Never heard of this at all, love the idea though and especially trying to keep the older traditions alive and relevant in these times. Wonderful to hear

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By *ubal1Man
over a year ago

Newry Down

The Wren is sporadically mentioned on formerly mainstream media outlets, such as RTE, but I have never seen Wren boys (nor Mummers) in real life.

I think it's a bucolic tradition that died out decades ago.

People speak nostalgically about it, and remenisce approvingly, but it doesn't actually exist anymore.

People nowadays make contact electronically, as we are right now!

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By *ubal1Man
over a year ago

Newry Down

Apologies: reminisce.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

https://twitter.com/slaineni/status/1475506473077727233?s=21

Dingle 2021

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