The Wren, the wren . . .

The Wren can be found throughout Waterford but this is not just another bird to add to the scientific County List as it holds a special place in our folklore. A practice with roots in pagan or pre-Christian times is still to be found particularly in rural parts and is usually accompanied with a rhyme. Many people can still recite odd lines from this and while some regional variation occurs, P.V. O'Sullivan gives the following as the complete Munster version.

The wren, the wren, the king of all birds St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze, And though he is little, his family was great, Rise up good lady and give us a treat.And if this treat be very small sure it won't agree with the boys at all. And if this treat be of the best, I hope in heaven your soul will rest.  I followed my wren through forest and snow, I followed my wren three miles or so. I followed my wren through Carrig an Ois, And brought her here on a holly bush. Here is the wren that you can see Dressed on high in the holly tree.

Dreoilin, dreoilin where's your nest?

It's in the woods where I love best. Its up in the holly and ivy tree Where all the birds can follow me. I brought the wren to visit you here A happy Christmas and a merry new year.  And as it comes but once a year  And when it come it brings good cheer.  Up with the kettle and down with the pan  A penny or two to bury the wran.  A Mr. and Mrs S. C. Hall recorded a Waterford description of the wren ritual in the 1840's.

"Attached to a huge holly bush, elevated on a pole, the bodies of several little wrens are borne aloft. This bush is an object of admiration in proportion to the number of depending birds and is carried through the streets in procession by a troop of boys, among whom may be usually found children of a larger growth, shouting and roaring as they proceed along, and now and then stopping at some popular house and there singing the wren song. Of course, contributions are levied in many quarters and the evening is, or rather was, occupied in drinking the sum total of the day's collection!" If contributions were not forthcoming from any particular household, the tradition was to bury one of the wrens near the doorstep. This was considered to be a great insult and also ensured that the hapless incumbents of the property enjoyed no great luck throughout the year that followed.