There was a tradition of doing the wren in Clarecastle on St Stephen’s day. The photo below shows a group of young boys with drums on the 26 December 1913. The picture appears to show boys with a concertina and tambourine there too. The tradition of the wren continued through the years right up to a Comhaltas Wren which was strong in the 1980’s. It was a great fundraiser for groups in the village as the Comhaltas members and the scouts went out together and shared the earnings. The Comhaltas wren collection contributed towards the rising cost of insurance for the branch at that stage.
Chris Keane recalls the adult marching band parading through the village at midnight in the 1950s and 1960s on New Year’s Eve. Musicians regularly involved included Jack Keane, Terry Scanlon, Marty Considine, Sean McNamara, Ned Doyle, John Joe Shannon, Sean Keane and Frank McNamara.
For a stroll in the footsteps of the Old Wranboys through the streets of Clarecastle lit up for Christmas 2020, click here:
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