| Ireland, like most countries, has a number of | | | | the welcome. THE WREN BOY PROCESSION |
| Christmas traditions that are all of its own. Many | | | | During Penal Times there was once a plot in a |
| of these customs have their root in the time | | | | vilage against the local soldiers. They were |
| when the Gaelic culture and religion of the country | | | | surrounded and were about to be ambushed |
| were being supressed and it is perhaps because | | | | when a group of wrens pecked on their drums |
| of that they have survived into modern times. | | | | and awakened the soldiers. The plot failed and the |
| THE CANDLE IN THE WINDOW The placing of a | | | | wren became known as ‘The Devil's bird'. On |
| lighted candle in the window of a house on | | | | St. Stephens day a procession takes place where |
| Christmas eve is still practised today. It has a | | | | a pole with a holly bush is carried from house to |
| number of purposes but primarily it was an | | | | house and families dress up in old clothes and with |
| symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph as they | | | | blackened faces. In olden times an actual wren |
| travelled looking for shelter. The candle also | | | | would be killed and placed on top of the pole. This |
| indicated a safe place for priests to perform | | | | custom has to a large degree disappeared but the |
| mass as, during Penal Times this was not allowed. | | | | tradition of visiting from house to house on St. |
| A further element of the tradition is that the | | | | Stephens Day has survived and is very much |
| candle should be lit by the youngest member of | | | | part of Christmas. DECORATIONS: The placing of |
| the household and only be extinguished by a girl | | | | a ring of Holly on doors originated in Ireland as |
| bearing the name ‘Mary'. THE LADEN TABLE | | | | Holly was one of the main plants that flourished at |
| After evening meal on Christmas eve the kitchen | | | | Christmas time and which gave the poor ample |
| table was again set and on it were placed a loaf | | | | means with which to decorate their dwellings. All |
| of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a | | | | decorations are traditionally taken down on Little |
| pitcher of milk and a large lit candle. The door to | | | | Christmas (January 6th.) and it is considered to be |
| the house was left unlatched so that Mary and | | | | bad luck to take them down beforehand. |
| Joseph, or any wandering traveller, could avail of | | | | |