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One of Ireland's unique and darker traditions, celebrated on December 26th, relates to killing a small bird in revenge for betraying St Stephen. “Hunting the Wren” is an Irish tradition that is believed to pre-date Christian times.
- What happens on Wren day?
- What was the wren tradition?
- Why is it called Wren day?
- What do Irish people eat on St Stephen's Day?
- Why is the wren called the king of all birds?
- What bird do the Irish eat on Christmas?
- What do wrens like eating?
- What is the spiritual meaning of a wren?
- What do the Irish call the day after Christmas?
- What does the name wren mean?
- How did wren become king?
- What's the typical Irish Christmas dinner?
What happens on Wren day?
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. ... Then the crowds of mummers, or strawboys, celebrate the wren (also pronounced wran) by dressing up in masks, straw suits, and colourful motley clothing.
What was the wren tradition?
The wren tradition is known to take place in Ireland and England where, in previous times,wrenboyswould hunt a wren, kill it, and visit homes reciting a poem that asked for money to give the bird a proper burial. A feather from the wren might be offered to the patrons for good luck.
Why is it called Wren day?
In Ireland, the day after Christmas means hunting down a small bird and tying it to the top of a pole. That's how the Irish celebrate St. Stephens Day, or Wren Day.
What do Irish people eat on St Stephen's Day?
The centerpiece of the food would be St. Stephen" Day stew made up of turkey, ham or bacon, vegetables, and other leftovers served hot. Cakes and pies would be served for dessert. After the hunt many people would go to the local pub for hot punch and entertainment.
Why is the wren called the king of all birds?
The origin of the word wren in Irish is dreoilín, which means a trickster. The trickery and cunningness of wren is popular since the day it was titled as 'The King of Birds'. The story goes that all the birds gathered to choose the king of the birds.
What bird do the Irish eat on Christmas?
For many, that will include a Christmas dinner where the turkey is the centrepiece. The bird may be associated with the annual feast, but that hasn't always been the case. Ross Golden Bannon, a member of 'The Irish Food Writers' Guild: A Voice for Better Eating', explained the history behind the tradition.
What do wrens like eating?
Food~ Wrens eat mostly tiny insects, They hunt spiders and insects, such as beetles, bugs and various caterpillars. They stuff their nestlings with a similar diet, along with grasshoppers and crickets. They will eat mealworms, tiny pieces of suet, peanut & sunflower pieces.
What is the spiritual meaning of a wren?
The wren is a small bird, widely considered a harbinger of spring and rebirth. It's also a symbol of the arts, because of its association with poets, songwriters, musicians, and anyone who writes or crafts written works. Wren symbolism includes rebirth, immortality, and protection.
What do the Irish call the day after Christmas?
The day after Christmas Day is a public holiday in Ireland. In the Republic of Ireland, it's known as St Stephen's Day, after the first Catholic martyr. In Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, December 26th is known as Boxing Day.
What does the name wren mean?
The name Wren is primarily a female name of English origin that means Small Bird.
How did wren become king?
The eagle would have flown highest, but the wren rode on its back and so managed to climb higher still. Then the birds decided to try a digging contest. The wren slipped down a convenient mouse hole, and won that round also. So the wren became the king.
What's the typical Irish Christmas dinner?
For an Irish family Christmas, the traditional dinner is key and getting it right is a real art. Roast turkey and stuffing, clove-studded baked ham, crispy goose fat potatoes, steamed Brussels sprouts, buttery sweet carrots, crispy parsnips, cranberry sauce, bread sauce, gravy, phew, there's a lot to think of!
