The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
King of all birds continues to reign on streets of Dingle
IN accordance with the custom prevalent in Dingle since time immemorial, the usual wren paraded the streets of our town on St. Stephen’s day. The day held up well and there was a good display of costumes. Varied characters were represented from the cowboy of the Wild West to the university under-graduate. Napoleon, too, figured in one of the pageants, as well as the old straw boys, who were formerly the principal characters of the Wren.
The above account could well have been written about this year’s Wren’s Day in Dingle, but it wasn’t. Instead, it’s The Kerryman’s report of Wren’s Day 1930 and, if nothing else, it shows that little has changed in the style or fervour of the Dingle Wrens in the intervening 87 years - even if Donald Trump has taken the place of Napoleon.
Why the Wren remains as strong and vibrant as ever in Dingle, when the tradition has faded elsewhere, is a matter of debate but many locals would agree that it has a lot to do with the rivalry between the town’s John Street, Goat Street, Quay, and Green & Gold Wrens. Each Wren is determine d to be the best - and invariably believes it is - and in this spirit of one-upmanship the tradition marches on, undiminished by time.
Another essential feature of the Dingle Wrens is the magnetic pull they exert on the locals. For many, the Wren can’t be missed, come hell or high water, and a Dingle exile quoted in The Kerryman of January 1944 captured this feeling when he wrote to his friends that he “was not bothered by home sickness until the Wren’s day came round”.
And so, because we have no choice but to follow our nature, the writers of this column have abandoned the desk in favour of the John Street Wren, but we’ll leave you with some of The Kerryman’s reports of the Wren’s Day over the past century or so. Up Sráid Eoin. We never died a winter yet!
December 23, 1911
St. Stephen’s Day in Dingle is a day to be remembered and not soon forgotten, as for amusement, it could not be equalled by even a Variety Theatre.
About six o’clock in the morning the inhabitants are to be awakened from their slumbers by the blowing of horns, beating of drums, canteens etc. The Wren is soon after on its way to Burnham, marshalled two deep and captained in splendid order by officers drilled for the occasion.
The Dingle dance association will leave nothing undone to provide for the wants of the people on this St. Stephen’s Day. About half-past ten the Wren is back in our midst, marching in procession the full round of the town; it will be worth looking at, lined in order, to the number of from sixty to eighty, all of whom dress in the gayest style from the hobble to the harem, and from the old-fashioned sheve waistcoat and knee breeches and steel pin models to the morning dress costumes.
The bulk of the wren will be composed of some splendid dancers and first class musicians with a grand display of flags and banners, bearing beautiful inscriptions such as ‘Who fears to Speak of ’98’. ‘Home Rule is Coming’ etc.
About four or five o clock in the evening the wren comes to a close by marching in full procession around the town, singing ‘God Save Ireland’ and other Irish airs. This will bring our happy day to a close.
January 13, 1912
A letter penned by Thomas Cleary of the Bank House, Dingle described the Wren ball following from the 1911 Wrens Day.
“The annual ball of the Dingle “Wren” Club was held in the Temperance Hall on Saturday night, Jan. 6th, and proved a most successful and enjoyable function. It was well patronised by the town and surrounding district. Dancing was in full swing about 10 o’clock, and with the floor in splendid condition, the ball-room, presented a scene which could rarely be surpassed by anything yet held in Dingle...
The music was supplied by Messrs. P. G. O’Connor, P. Segrue, M. Ashe and D. Flaherty, on the violin, under the personal conductorship of Mr. Jas. Manning.
Miss O’Shea, Miss O’Sullivan and Miss O’Connor had charge of the catering arrangements which were carried out in the usual good style. Mr. M. S. O’Connor, was responsible for the decorations which seemed to attract great attention. There were about eighty couples present and all seemed delighted with the entertainment. Dancing and singing were kept up until a late hour.
Some beautiful songs were rendered. Miss Kate Moran, sang “Kathleen Mavoureen” in good style, Miss H. Kennedy in her rendering of “A Breeze from the Shore” raised a cheer and encore from all present. Miss Mollie O’Rielly sang “Eileen my Queen” and Miss H. O’Flaherty “A Bohemian Love Song.” Mr. P. J. Griffin sang “Come Back to Erin,” in his grand baritone voice, and was greatly enjoyed by the entire company, and J. J. Ashe sang “Across the far Blue Hills, Marie,” accompanied by P. Sugrue on the violin.
Garret Fox beautifully rendered “Alexander’s Rag Time Band,” on the clarinet, which brought the entertainment to a close.
January 1 , 1927
St. Stephen’s day falling on a Sunday, the wren boys held their customary parade the following day. In recent years ‘the wran’ as it is locally called, has undergone many changes. The old liveliness and step dancing has almost disappeared. More attention is nowadays devoted to dress, and the usual motley types of humanity are represented - Red Indians, Cowboys, members of the Klu Klux Klan and military officers, ‘ladies’ in the latest fashion, figured conspicuously in the parades.
There is a tendency to have too many wrans... the general opinion is that the wrans did not meet the standards of the former years.
January 1, 1944
Despite the scarcity of candles people clung tenaciously to the fine old Irish custom of putting a candle in the window on Christmas night. Youths paraded the town playing fifes and drums. It reminded one of the days when peace reigned throughout Europe...
Though most of Dingle’s youth are in England, the old custom of Wrens parading the town was observed. The number participating were not as large as other years, the costumes though varied were not up to the usual standard. The coupons were blamed for this.
John Street had for its mascot, the Derby winner; the Quay was preceded by a well-rigged yacht; the Green and Gold wren showed a vast improvement in apparel. The only old-time feature of the wrens were a number of straw boys. It should be mentioned that John Street had the advantage in music with uileann pipes. The residents contributed generously and showed their approval of a custom which is as old as Dingle itself.
December 31, 1955
There was the usual rivalry in Dingle on St. Stephen’s Day. Hundreds participated in the wrens and testified that this fine custom will never die.
The day held up well until late in the evening and there was a fine display of pageantry. We had John Street, Goat Street, the Green and Gold and Milltown wrens. The Milltown wren is worthy of special mention having for its mascot The Blue Bird, a good replica of this world record speed breaker. The Milltown boys caused a sensation with this vehicle drawn by a tractor. The Mall deviated from old-time musical instruments with amplifiers mounted on a motor car. The other wrens were supplied with fifes and drums. A piper also took part and supplied the necessary dancing music.
The old straw boys featured in the John Street Wren. Many were glad to see the hobby horses prancing through the streets. The boys were most orderly and the people subscribed generously.