St. Stephen's Day
December 26
Wren Day in Ireland

St. Stephen's Day, December 26, is a national holiday in
Ireland. It is also the day for "Hunting the Wren" based 
on the story of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. He
was hiding from his enemies in a furze bush, but he was 
betrayed to the searching Roman soldiers by a little 
chattering wren. 

Early in the morning of St. Stephen's Day, young people in
Ireland wearing straw masks or blackened faces, or maybe
 just dressed in old-fashined clothes, go from house to 
house, or even pub to pub, singing the Wren song:

The wren, the wren, the king of all birds, 
On St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze,
Although he is little, his family is great,
Jump up, me lads, and give us a treat.

Traditionally, the singers receive a treat in the form of
coins, Christmas cake, or other Christmas food or drink.

Originally called the "Wren Boys", nowadays they include 
girls and often adults Hunting the Wren. Folk costumes and
traditional music and dancing are often part of the
Hunting the Wren custom, and the money collected 
is often used for community or school projects. 

In Ireland, the wren is also revered as the "King of the
Birds." An Irish folktale tells of a contest held among all 
the birds to see which could fly the highest and should be
accorded the title of King. The eagle flew as high as he
possibly could, higher than any other bird. But he lost the
contest when a clever wren, who had been hiding on the
 eagle’s back, flew off the tired eagle and soared even  
higher in the sky. 

For more information on Hunting the Wren in Co. Kerry, 
go to www.dingle-peninsula.ie/wren.html.