Is the 'Wren' tradition dead/dying?

gobnaitolunacy

A thought that struck me on St Stephen's Day...apart from the well-publicised Dingle Wren, is it gone from the rest of the country?

godtabh

I never heard of it in Dublin but had callers to my wifes home in Athlone over christmas. Her brother used to do it up to recently

Balmed Out

Its still done in west Cork and apparently its taken off in the sattelite town of Carrigaline.

subedei

Done in parts of Cork city as well, I know atleast one group that does it here, also its done in other parts of the county like North Cork, but think the Carrigaline one is pretty large with a parade and the like

The Scientician

Cousins do it or similar in Tyrone. Apparently it's thriving enough in Wicklow too. I suspect it'll be something that has a comeback. Women's Christmas/Nollaig na mBan traditions have had a resurgence of late.

Historybluff

I think it is dying out.
I live in east County Limerick, and when I was aged about 10 to 13 years old - around 1992 to 1995 - myself and a few friends used to go on the wren and other kids used to call at our house doing it too. (It just seemed to be kids and young teenagers that did it.)
But in the last decade I haven't seen anyone doing it in my locality.
Also, in some areas the wren was only associated with Travellers. When I mentioned to a Mallow friend of mine that I used to do it, he was very surprised as in his locality it was a Traveller tradition.

Casinoking

Saw a few fellas at it around North Tipp this year. I think it's making a bit of a comeback. Either that or guys are just looking for more excuses to dress in drag...!!