Wrenboys
From Wacklepedia - The Free Encyclopedia
In various parts of
Ireland on
St. Stephen's (Boxing) Day,
December 26th,
Wrenboys (
Mummers) celebrate the
Wren (also pronounced as the
Wran) by dressing up in straw masks and colourful clothing and, accompanied by traditional
Celtic mythology.
Druids apparently studied the flight of the wren, amongst other birds, to derive predictions about the future. Various associated legends exist, such as the Wren bird being responsible for betraying Irish soldiers who fought the
Viking invaders in the late first and early second millennia, and for betraying the
Christian martyr
Saint Stephen, after whom the day is named.
This mythological association with treachery is a probable reason why in past times the bird was hunted by Wrenboys on St. Stephen's day. A captured Wren
was killed and tied to the Wrenboy leader's staff pole. Fortunately, Wrenboys
no longer practice this aspect of the Wren, although the event is still
referred to as Hunting The Wren. Devoted Wrenboys, with their colourful
straw costumes and masks, and with the accompanying c?l?bands, continue
to ensure that the Gaelic tradition of celebrating the Wren continues to
this day.
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