The Wren

In ancient folklore, the Wren was regarded as a druidic bird whose singing voice was otherworldly and magical.

Because of this, it was targeted by the church as a relic of our pagan past. On 26th of December, the Wren hunt went into full swing and young boys were rewarded for every dead bird they displayed and paraded from house to house. Happily this aspect of the practice has died out, though the tradition of the wren boys going door to door in costume on St Stephen’s day is regaining popularity having previously disappeared from many parts of the country.