Question: are wren boys charity?

yankinlk

Just wondering if anyone knows... I have only been around Ireland a few years and have grown used to the tradition of the wren. But the other day my mother mentioned that they were not collecting for anyone but themselves, at least thats the way it was when she grew up.

So that made me think...how are they any different than the "carol singers" (i use the term singers very loosely) that come knocking at the door and wont go away untill you give them a euro. Except the wren make a big effort at dressing up as idiots and have some bit of musical talent usually.

SO what do you think?

pickarooney

Are you talking about rent boys?

Orion

He's talking about the wren boys. They are singers. I saw them on the 26th in Donadea Forest but they're mainly a Cork phenomenom.

Dunno about the collections though.

Blub2k4

Macros42 wrote:

He's talking about the wren boys. They are singers. I saw them on the 26th in Donadea Forest but they're mainly a Cork phenomenom.

Dunno about the collections though.

They are not mainly a Cork phenomena.

Extract below from http://www.irishfestivals.net/saintstephensday.htm

http.://www.irishfestivals.net/saintstephensday.htm wrote:

Celtic myth had it that the robin that was suppose to represent the New Year killed the wren which represented the Old Year during this time. Wren Boys blacken their faces and go from house to house asking for money to bury the wren. The money they collect is used to buy food and drink for the "wren dance" held on this night.

We used to do it as kids and once people know what it is, which they do in the country you do quite well out of it.

p.s. I had to change the http bit to stop metatags automatically being added.

Mossy Monk

not charity

beggers

pickarooney

http.://www.irishfestivals.net/saintstephensday.htm
Celtic myth had it that the robin that was suppose to represent the New Year killed the wren which represented the Old Year during this time. Wren Boys blacken their faces and go from house to house asking for money to bury the wren. The money they collect is used to buy food and drink for the "wren dance" held on this night.

A so began a vicious cycle of internecine violence in the avian world, culminating in the execution of Robin "Cock Robin" Redbreast by Jimmy the Sparrow (with his bow and arrow).

yankinlk

Blub2k4 wrote:

They are not mainly a Cork phenomena.

We used to do it as kids and once people know what it is, which they do in the country you do quite well out of it.

p.s. I had to change the http bit to stop metatags automatically being added.

Thas what I thought so. They are kinda like beggars, but as I said, at least they make an effort to make themselves look foolish ... the carol singers are like the children that come 2 days before Halloween and then two days after, no costumes, just looking for a euro.

Blub2k4

yankinlk wrote:

Thas what I thought so. They are kinda like beggars, but as I said, at least they make an effort to make themselves look foolish ... the carol singers are like the children that come 2 days before Halloween and then two days after, no costumes, just looking for a euro.

I wouldn't have said that they are like beggars at all, more like "trick or treaters", tradition is very similar.

Kingsize

they collect the cash for themselves & then have a big F*ckin party with the proceeds at least thats what they they did in "the bodhran makers" by john b keane.(which although a work of fiction ,must at least be based on some fact.)
But i think in recent years this tradition has been "taken over" by the type of middle class twats who wear brown shoes & give their kids obscure unpronouncable names.

Blub2k4

Kingsize wrote:

they collect the cash for themselves & then have a big F*ckin party with the proceeds at least thats what they they did in "the bodhran makers" by john b keane.(which although a work of fiction ,must at least be based on some fact.)
But i think in recent years this tradition has been "taken over" by the type of middle class twats who wear brown shoes & give their kids obscure unpronouncable names.

Well I used to do it as a kid in Roscommon, my nieces and nephews would still do it. It is still a very strong tradition down there, more popular than halloween almost.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

I was at a few of them in dublin years and years ago, and my mother was at one last weekend to raise money for the rape crisis center in carlow.. and some other womens aid charity.

StickyMcGinty

in tipperary they come in to the pub the smelliest knackers ever, mutter something about the wren being the king of all birds with their hand out the whole time, while their dad stands over ye.

travellers making money scam. disgrace.

simu

I think it's great that the tradition still lives on. Traditionally, the money earned was used for revelry but in this day and age, unless the performers are kids, it would be better for it to go to charity.

Blub2k4

VinnyL wrote:

in tipperary they come in to the pub the smelliest knackers ever, mutter something about the wren being the king of all birds with their hand out the whole time, while their dad stands over ye.

travellers making money scam. disgrace.

You are so full of it, it has nothing to do with travellers, possibly in places, I mean they have the right to practice anything that settled people do, but dont let facts get in the way of your bigotted rant.

yankinlk

Blub2k4 wrote:

You are so full of it, it has nothing to do with travellers, possibly in places, I mean they have the right to practice anything that settled people do, but dont let facts get in the way of your bigotted rant.

Id have to agree with that comment. Ive been at the receiving end of the wren in Limerick and Tipperary and the whole reason for my question was because how very different the different "wren boys" were. Some pubs were very organised and the music stayed longer and it seemed they knew loads of people, in others they seemed to be running through as quick as possible like trick or treaters.

Blub2k4

yankinlk wrote:

Id have to agree with that comment. Ive been at the receiving end of the wren in Limerick and Tipperary and the whole reason for my question was because how very different the different "wren boys" were. Some pubs were very organised and the music stayed longer and it seemed they knew loads of people, in others they seemed to be running through as quick as possible like trick or treaters.

In a pub where you would not be known as a local you wont stay as long, you want the "goodies" and then leg it.