Pictures: New ‘King of the Wran’ crowned in South Kilkenny as musicians delight crowd

The revival of the centuries old tradition of dressing up in straw continued in Mullinavat on St Stephen’s Day.

A large crowd, both young and old, gathered to enjoy two hours of fun and music. Many were dressed for the occasion, in straw hats, skirts and capes, and witnessed the crowning of Michael Power King of the Wran for the coming year, by outgoing king Dick Claridge.

Following the crowning, in the parish hall, the new king led the parade down to the Main Street and into Fr Maher Place, before returning to the hall for music led by local musician Gary Power.

To help promote and renew these cultural traditions, the South Kilkenny Historical Society organised this event, their third Wren Day gathering, and the organisers were delighted with the numbers which participated and engaged with the group during the parade through Mullinavat Village. TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS

The chairman, on behalf of the society thanked all musicians (including Gary Power, who co-ordinated the event), Monica Fleming for organising straw making classes prior to the event and Kilkenny County Council for funding under the Community Event Grant Scheme 2025.

The topics and speakers for the first four South Kilkenny Historical Society lectures of 2026 were recently announced, with dates set for two.

The year 2026 marks the centenary of the founding of Fianna Fáil and Mr Eamon O Cuiv has agreed to deliver a lecture on this topic, while Liam Burke will deliver a lecture on Kilkenny GAA.

Both lectures will take place between January 15 and March 20. Further information regarding these lectures will be published once they become available.

Dr Ruth Duffy will deliver a lecture ‘Caring in the Crossfire: Northern Ireland's Health Service during the Troubles’, on Friday, March 27, and ‘Memories and Memorabilia: Telling GAA Stories through Objects’ is the title of Dr Siobhán Doyle’s lecture, on Friday, April 24.

Annual membership of the society, which is open to all, costs €20.