The Wren flies high on the streets of Dingle

A BROKEN jaw and a missing eye – it was a tough Wren for the Sráid Eoin hobby horse who is beginning to show the signs of age. But then it’s a hard day for all hobby horses – not to mention the poor devils carrying them on a tour of the town that lasts from the middle of the day until well after dark.

The Wren is a special day for the people of Dingle, but the door is open to all comers so it was no great wonder that visitors from Cape Cod to Scartaglin were to be found in the colours of the Quay, Goat Street, Sráid Eoin and the Green & Gold Wrens.

Dry, calm and warm, it was an exceptionally fine Wren’s Day and credit for the ideal weather was claimed for the Child of Prague by Helen Lovett who had placed statue on her window the previous night.

From lunchtime the Wrens gathered in their various headquarters before setting out on their route around the town, with stops in various locations including pubs, welcoming houses and the Dingle Hospital.

The relocation of the community hospital from Goat Street to the Mail Road has altered the traditional routes taken by the Wrens and as chance would have it the four Wrens all arrived as close together as the carriages of a train for their visit to the hospital.

Early in the day an accidental meeting of the Wrens also occurred at the Last Cottage in The Wood where Margaret and Lorna Holdried and friends were working flat out dispensing welcome hot drinks to thirsty whistlers, drummers and fifers.

The day melted into night with the four main town Wrens representing the four corners of the town, and a selection of colourful, rhythmic-themed Wrens frolicking on the streets. After dark the tin whistle playing Sráid Eoin, Goat Street and Quay Wrens assembled for a pre-arranged rendevous on the Small Bridge, setting aside rivalries for an ebullient gathering and a set of tunes that reverberated through the streets.

Following a short break for food the Wrens took to the streets again, by which time the friendly faces of onlookers were replaced by a torrent of highly excited partygoers who had arrived in town to soak up and share some of the atmosphere after they were discharged from the 30 or more buses parked in the Mart Car park. Some pubs closed their doors to ensure their regular customers – some costumed some not – were undisturbed by the invasion.

The Wrens were back at base early and the streets were left to the young visitors and the Gardaí who worked late keeping an eye on them.

Here’s lookin’ at you kid: After a lifetime playing with the Goat Street Wren, Tom Healy (centre) threw tradition to the wind this year and went out with The Green & Gold. It made for a rare clash of colours when he met up with his Goat Street drumming...

Molly Collins serving up hot drinks at Holderied’s house in The Wood where the Wren’s always get a very warm welcome.

David Donegan keeps the flag flying for The Quay Wren.

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Lily Ní Dhomhnaill in the Green & Gold Wren.

Kate O’Sullivan and Aisling O’Connor in The Quay Wren.