Wren Boys.

The Wren Boys.

Irish tradition holds that the wren symbolised the old year while the robin symbolises the year to come. To ensure that the passage from the old year to the new could take place it was once common practice on St. Stephens Day for groups of young boys to hunt and kill the wren. These groups of so-called Wren Boys, masked and costumed, would travel from house to house carrying the wren in a small box or casket.  Sometimes the wren was tied to a pole and decked with ribbons). They would then call at each house singing songs and playing music in an attempt to raise money for the unfortunate birds funeral.

This ancient tradition can still be seen in certain towns and villages in Ireland and it really is a sight to behold! The Wren Boys march through the streets dressed in traditional attire (usually something made from straw) to the beat of a Bodhrán and they stop off in bars along the way to play traditional music. Money is still collected but this is given to charity and of course a wren is not killed anymore but some Wren Boys march with a fake bird.

Although the Wren Boys are rarely seen today, they provide a historical thread to Ireland's past. Some sources say the wren was hated because it had betrayed Irish soldiers who were staging an attack on the invading Norsemen.  Pecking at some bread crumbs left upon a drum the wren betrayed the hiding place of the Irish and this led to their defeat. The same story is told about troops of Cromwell. When the Irish forces were about to catch Cromwell’s troops by surprise, a wren perched on one of the soldiers drums made a noise that woke the sleeping sentries just in time, thereby saving the camp. 

Other myths describe how the wren betrayed St. Stephen himself with its chirping, leading to the first martyrdom of a Christian saint. Although the custom of sacrificing a wren is most commonly associated with Ireland, some form of the tradition actually exists throughout the Celtic world, with similar rites found in the Isle of Man, Wales, and France.

Other stories say the hostility towards this most harmless of creatures results from the efforts of  cleric’s in the middle ages to undermine druidic reverence and practices regarding the bird. 

Associated with the druids of Ireland who consider the wren a sacred bird and used their musical notes for divination. They were called magus avium (the magic or druid bird). In Irish the Wren is Dreoilín (Dro Leen). It was for this reason that wren was targeted by Christian believers and Pagan purges were frequent and all-embracing. This unfortunate set of circumstances may also have come about as the feathers were thought to prevent a person from drowning, and because of this the feathers were traditionally very popular with sailors.

A traditional French belief tells that children should not touch the nest of a wren or the child will suffer from pimples. In the same way as a robin is revered, if anyone harms the bird then the person will suffer the same fate.

The Breton druids have given the wren an honoured role in their folklore, they believe that it was the wren that brought fire from the gods but as she flew back down to earth her wings began to burn so she passed her gift to the robin, whose chest plumage began to burst into flames. The lark came to the rescue, finally bringing the gift of fire to the world.

The wren’s eggs are said to be protected by lightning. Whoever tries to steal wren’s eggs or even baby wrens would find their house struck by lightning and their hands would shrivel up

During the winter wren’s lose their body heat rapidly and therefore will often roost together to keep warm. Remember an odd nest box left up occasionally during the winter months will often be used for roosting. It is not unusual for several wrens to cuddle up together in one box during cold times.

The male bird builds two or three ball-shaped nests for the female to inspect. She decides which one she likes best and will then proceed to line the chosen nest ready for egg laying. The wren is a mouse-like little bird for it scurries here and there hiding in ivy leaves and picking up insects in all sorts of hideaway places.

Clíona the seductress                                                                
One of the most interesting legends is that Cliona, a woman of the fairy realm, seduced young men to follow her to the seashore.  Here they drowned in the ocean into which she enticed them.  Eventually a charm was discovered that, not only protected against her wiles, but could also bring about her destruction.  Her only method of escape was to turn herself into a wren.  As a punishment for her crimes she was forced to take the shape of the little bird on every succeeding Christmas Day and fated to die by human hand.  Hence the seemingly barbarous practice of hunting the wren.    

Wordsworth writes about the wren’s song in Book II of The Prelude. Whilst most people find the wrens song a little harsh, he favoured its song and celebrates it in his writing. Good old Wordsworth!