One among Eire’s outdated traditions for Christmas is the Wren hunt, the place folks gown up and go door to door. This 1992 documentary reveals a neighborhood band in Kerry getting ready and speaking about this enjoyable St. Stephen’s Day custom.

“Higher Sráid Eoin – We Have not Died But One Winter!”, a movie written and conceived by Ríonach Uí Ógáin in 1992. St. Stephen’s Day and Searching the Wren.

The documentary was launched on YouTube by Maidhcí O Súilleabháin. He wrote: “Lá an Dreoilín, or Wren Day, can also be Wren’s Day, Wren Day or Wren Searching Day) is well known in lots of international locations of Europe on December 26, St. Stephen’s Day. The custom consists of “searching” a false wren and inserting it on a adorned pole.

“Then, crowds of gamers, or wicker kids, have fun the wren (additionally pronounced wran) by carrying masks, wicker fits, and colourful, colourful clothes. They type bands and parade by means of cities and villages. These crowds are generally known as wrens.”

St. Stephen’s Day custom

The custom of searching the pennant goes again to the Penal Occasions in Eire, the place a wren is believed to have betrayed a gaggle of Irish warriors in an Irish village as they tried to ambush Scandinavian troopers.

Irish locals surrounded their rivals and have been getting ready to ambush them when a flock of birds pecked at their drums and woke their sleeping enemies.

The plot failed and the wren grew to become generally known as the “Satan’s chook”.

Open St. Stephen’s Day in IrelandA parade is held, during which a pillar with a sacred bush is carried from home to deal with, and households put on outdated garments and blackened faces. In historic occasions, a real wren was killed and positioned on prime of the pole.

Crowds of individuals take to the roads round Eire, carrying masks and straw clothes, and infrequently accompanied by musicians. Immediately, a stuffed wren is used as a substitute of a real-life chook.