Bernie to set a record on his last year on the Wren
Bernie O’Connor set to become longestserving Wrenboy ever in North Kerry
ONE of the last great upholders of the Wrenboy tradition in North Kerry is calling time on his long years of performing - but not before setting a new record.
Knockanure native Bernie O’Connor will mark his last St Stephen’s Day as a Wrenboy this year in what will be his 63rd continuous year taking part – making him ‘King of the Wren’ in these parts.
Today, he’s one of a hardy few holding out against the effects of modern life on the tradition in
North Kerry. But when he first took part in the Wren back in Knockanure as a seven-year-old in 1954 it was a massive affair.
“There’s four of us in what is about the last remaining batch in North Kerry but when I was young the Wren was a vibrant affair with groups of up to 20 everywhere from Lenamore to Kilmorna and Listowel.
“It was all house-to-house when I started back in 1954 and of course the money then was very different. St Stephen’s Day was about the only time when people had some to give and of the four of us that first year we made about five shillings between us. After divvying it out we must have had 1/3 each. We thought we’d never see a poor day again!”
Added to the fun of playing music and singing in the neighbour’s houses, Bernie was bitten by the Wren well and good and enjoyed decades of brilliant days and nights dressed in the then readily-available straw suits.
Sadly, it was a tradition that waned almost entirely. “It started to go down a lot in the early eighties really. I don’t know why but I think it had to do with people having more money then, unlike when we were growing up and the only bit of money was on Stephen’s Day.”
Now, along with fellow Wrenboys Mike Moroney, Eamon O’Sullivan and his brother-inlaw Mike Long, Bernie will set out on his final Wren campaign at around 11am, hitting houses in Listowel in the first part of the circuit.
“We might sing a song and get a cup of tea and they always look forward to us coming in the homes we still visit each year.”
He’s also looking forward to playing a new accordion he just bought on what will be his swan song, a bittersweet occasion for this King of the Wren. On this Wren Bernie will, after all, become the record holder.
“You’ve got to earn the King of the Wren status and I will have managed 63 years, beating the previous record of 62 years held by Batt Fitzmaurice of Moyvane.”
Bernie is retiring for health reasons, he explained. “It’s going to be my last due to health concerns as I felt it would be too much of a stretch to keep at if for any longer.”
Now, he is calling on a younger generation to pick up the mantle. “It would be wonderful to see younger people getting involved and taking part in the Wren to keep the tradition going in North Kerry,” Bernie said.