In Dublin there are usually several plays going on with subjects including Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Puss in Boots, and Babes in the Wood. The Wren Boys Christmas in Ireland cannot be discussed without reference to the Wren Boys on St. Stephen's Day. This practice of antiquity predates St. Patrick. In ancient times, a wren was beaten out of the bushes and its body hung on a holly bush. The killing of a bird is no longer tolerated but the door to door visits continue.
Participants dress up in homemade costumes reminiscent of North American Halloween.
Most people treat the Wren Boys to porter and pudding. Any young people in the house are cajoled to continue on with the gang until there is a decent assembly of young folk being followed by most of the children in the neighbourhood. They will end up in some neighbour's house and if someone produces a fiddle the party begins. As the name suggests, there is a feast on that day and it's also that day that the Christmas decorations are taken down. All rights reserved.