Hunting the Wren, Bunclody, Co. Wexford
As we are slowly leading up to Christmas and St. Stephen's Day here is an account of Hunting the Wren in Bunclody, Co. Wexford from the 1960s. I was delighted to get this account recorded as the Wren Boy tradition has traditionally existed in small pockets of Wexford, and still does, even though most Wexford people don’t know this.
We do it with our children at a very local level here in Curragraigue which is 15km from Bunclody. The tradition is found in many other counties in Ireland and I've great recordings of people I met in May who did in Newfoundland growing up.
Peter’s account recall how as young lads, probably 9-12 years old, they set off walking dressed up, carrying a furze/gorse bush which would be decorated with a little birds nest and a toy bird. They would walk from Bunclody towards Kiltealy a distance of about 12km, stopping off at each house where they’d recite their little ‘Wren Verse/Song’ and get some money and sometimes food in reward. Peter travelled with his friend and remembered how they’d leave early on the morning of St/ Steven’s Day as they’d try and get to the houses first as other gangs of Wren Boys would be heading out from the town. The money they collected would be used to but sweets when they’d go back to school.
Text: Michael Fortune
The Quay Wren - Dingle 2012
The Mighty Sessions. Last round of the town.
Passeio de trem de Dublin para Wexford
Passeio de trem pela costa da Irlanda, de Dublin até Wexford (02/07/16). Almoçamos em um pub tradicional chamado The Wren's Nest e visitamos o Irish National Heritage Park.
Nightingale, Hook Head, Co. Wexford.
Nightingale at Hook Head, County Wexford, Ireland. September 5th 2010. Taken with Canon 7D and 300mm lens with 1.4x converter.
The Hunting of the Wren...part 2!
The 26th of December is a strange day. It is linked to that tiny bird the wren. It continues in some parts of Ireland the day to be known as Wren Day. Ceremonies connected with stoning this smallest of birds to death are still re-enacted by groups known as the Wrenboys. Why? In Druid lore the Wren was a link between heaven and earth. It is possible that because the Druids worshipped the wren, for this reason the Christians opposed it and celebrated the hunting and killing of the bird at Christmas time as a symbol of their new order.
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BAHH Band in Dingle (1)
The BAHH Band in Dingle, performing at the Wren's Nest Café, on 6th May 2011.
Cry Before Dawn - Sometimes Is Never Enough
To Be True - 1992
Solid Records - ROCD 763
Cry Before Dawn - Thank yous
Vicar Street, Dublin, 8th April, 2011.
Brendan says thanks to everyone.
Watching the Bearded Tits
Watching the Bearded Tits
A rare sighting for our local patch, less than a few miles from Leeds City Centre.
By Lawrie
November brings glorious displays of autumn leaves in some parts of the world, and soaring temperatures and bright blue skies in others. Whether it's a springtime bogong moth invasion or birds flying south for winter, we want to see what's changing for the wildlife where you live.
Share your photos with us through GuardianWitness, and we'll feature our favourites on the Guardian site.
'Spider eating a delicious wasp'. Photograph: Jim Still/GuardianWitness.
BlueWay 10km - Canoe Ireland - Strawberry Beds - River Liffey - May 30th 2016
Mummers Play and Wassail of the Morrismen beside Gloucester Cathedral in 2019
Mummers Play and Wassail of the Morrismen beside Gloucester Cathedral in 2019.
Wassail comes from the Old Norse, Ves heil.
My video was made on St Stephens Day or Boxing Day on Thursday 26th of December in the year of our Lord 2019.
Finding a Bearded Tit - It's there!
Follow the call...
At Leighton Moss.
Bearded Tits on grit trays - RSPB Leighton Moss - 04/11/2013
Three seen on the grits trays this morning though another 20+ were feeding in the reeds alongside the path. Canon SX50 HS
River Cottage Dingle Ireland County Kerry 2012 near Inch Beach
October 2012 hatten wir einen wunderbaren Aufenthalt im River Cottage von Anne und Nick. Das Ferienhaus liegt wunderschön von Bergen und Meer umgeben auf der Dingle Halbinsel in der Nähe von Inch. Sehr schön geeignet für den Ring of Kerry oder zum Killarney National Park. Wer irische Gastfreundschaft geniessen möchte mit seiner Familie umgeben von Eseln, Schafen, Hund, Katzen und Hühnern, der findet hier ein zu Hause im Urlaub. Infos unter
October 2012 we had a wonderful stay at River Cottage by Anne and Nick. The house is beautifully surrounded by mountains and sea on the Dingle Peninsula near Inch. Beautifully suited for the Ring of Kerry or Killarney National Park If you want to enjoy Irish hospitality with your whole family and kids, this is home away from your home. If you love donkeys, sheep, dog, cats and chickens,,you can find information at
MY BARN DANCE STORY
Though it extended further back in time than the starting date of this video, this is what dances I MC-ed and called the instructions for were like. I hope you enjoy watching or why not turn up the sound, turn back the carpets and give it a go. A fuller description is found in my poem 'The Last Dance' also on YouTube.
Christmas in Ireland – Aonach Mhalla (Lullaby)
These are songs from the record album, Christmas in Ireland, a rare vinyl LP from the 60s.
Featuring The Little Dublin Singers; recorded in Dublin; songs sung in English and Gaelic.
Track 5: Aonach Mhalla (Lullaby)
Bullshittin
This is how we chill, and make the most of the town of Wexford. Check it.
The Chieftains - Il Est Né / Ca Berger (featuring Kate and Anna McGarrigle)
Bewick's swan Meaning
Video shows what Bewick's swan means. A small swan, Cygnus columbianus, of the family Anatidae.. Bewick's swan Meaning. How to pronounce, definition audio dictionary. How to say Bewick's swan. Powered by MaryTTS, Wiktionary