Wrenboys were out in big numbers in West Kerry today – one of the last strongholds of the mid-winter tradition.
The large groups of Wrenboys brought noise and colour to the streets of Dingle-Daingean Uí Chúis, while smaller groups roamed from house to house in the more rural parts of the peninsula.
Known as An Dreoilín or ‘The Wran’ in west Kerry, the town is home to four main groups of Wrenboys – The Goat Street Wran, The Quay Wran, the John Street Wran and the Green and Gold Wran.
The traditional dress of straw skirts and hats is now complimented by a eclectic mix of unusual costumes and masks.
The origins of the centuries’ old tradition are unknown. Some believe elements of the celebration may have pagan echoes.
Mícheál Ó Coiléain of the Green and Gold Wran said the spectacle has its roots in many traditions, including a fife and drum tradition brought by local soldiers who returned from conflicts such as the Boer War and the Crimean War of the 19th century.
Mr Ó Coileáin said: “Nobody knows for sure where it came from, but it goes back centuries. It’s associated with mid-winter, when things are at their darkest and bleakest, to go out and have a good day on the town – meet your friends, have a few drinks, play music. It’s very much part of our identity here in Dingle.
“The idea of every Wran being led out by a white mare is a tradition you find in other parts of Europe. There’s a mystical and magical quality about the white horse.
“The origins are lost in the mists of time but here the manifestation of it, the hobby-horse as we call it, still survives.”
The wren groups set off from their respective headquarters at around 1pm and will continue to march around the town well in to the night.
Both young and old take part and each group plays their own unique repertoire of tunes.
A friendly rivalry exists between the various groups, each claiming to be stronger and better than their neighbours.
Led by their captains, the wrenboys collect money for local charities and they also pay a visit to elderly residents in the town’s community hospital.
In the more rural parts of the peninsula, smaller ‘Dreoilíní’ travel from house to house playing music in back kitchens and bringing the light of approaching Spring across the threshold.
While the rural tradition has waned in recent decades, this year saw a large group of wrenboys visiting houses in the parishes Baile an Fheirtéaraigh and Dún Chaoin.
Eleven-year-old Eábha Ní Ainiféin said they would spend the entire day calling to houses.
“I love dressing up and I love playing music for people. You can see that they are really happy to see us coming.” she said.
The captain of the Wran Maidhc Ó Mainín said it was important to keep the tradition alive in rural parts.
“We are collecting for the local youth club, but I think it’s very important that the tradition lives in these more remote parts, both for the young people, but especially especially for the older people. This is more important than Christmas Day around here,” he said.
