Tradition of the mummers and the ‘wran’ boy return to South Kilkenny

ABOVE: Wren Revellers on Main Street, Mullinavat

The centuries old tradition of dressing up in straw is currently experiencing a revival here in Ireland. Scroll down to read more and click NEXT to see lots more photographs of the day! 

These woven outfits are commonly referred to as Mummers’ costumes, and were worn as a means of disguise by Wren Boys, Straw Boys, Biddy Boys and Mummers across Ireland to mark and celebrate a shift in seasons - e.g. harvest time and Christmas, or to bless a marriage.

South Kilkenny Historical Society
To help promote and renew these cultural traditions, the South Kilkenny Historical Society ran their second Wren Day gathering on St Stephen’s Day in the village of Mullinavat.

Many “Wran” enthusiasts from surrounding towns and villages turned up in straw costumes and hats adorned with tinsel to witness the coronation of Dick Claridge - Wren Boy 2024, in the community hall (for this event the term Wren ‘boy’ means any gender and any age).

This was followed by a parade through the village streets, involving sporadic song and dancing at the crossroads.

Local residents opened their front doors to look on at the unfolding spectacle, with much amusement. The merriment was briefly interrupted by the sound of horses’ hooves on the street and a pack of eager hounds, as the Mullinavat Hunt rode through the village. A couple of the straw-clad Wren revellers were heard taunting the dapper horse-riders, with roars of “Go on the Fox!”