Modeling the latest in Wren Hats are Alexander Weir, his mother Katherine, and Haley Richardson. Photo by Carl Weir.
Every year in Ireland, on the feast of St. Stephen (December 26), the Irish celebrate in a way that has been handed down for centuries. They go out, hunt down a wren, kill it, put it on a stick and parade it around town while they’re dressed in funny costumes.
No, that’s not what they do. That’s what they used to do. “Wren Parties” are still held, but they’re bloodless these days. People still get together, as they did December 26 at the Wren Party in Glenside sponsored by the Delaware Valley chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. They even wear costumes. Well, hats anyway. And they eat, drink, play music, sing, and dance.
Thanks to Carl Weir, whose son, Alexander, was one of the performers and hat-wearers, we have photos from this year’s event (the 13th Wren Party the Comhaltas has thrown). And here they are.
