traditions

Hunt the Wren is a very old tradition, likely dating to Celtic or pre-Celtic times.  In the long ago when cultures were more animistic/shamanistic, the killing of an animal was either done for food, offering or the transfer of that animals’ powers to another.  In the case of the wren, who is highly territorial and aggressive to other birds that nest in its area and thus a fierce protector, it is likely that food was not a consideration in its ritual killing but the other two were.  Through its death its powers are available to be called upon/transferred and the old Manx folk would ask for peace on the wren, on themselves and on the community (thus no conflict arising).  During the wren events, it was lucky to receive a feather of the dead bird when it was paraded and, with due solemnity, it was buried in the parish church at the end of the day.

Today’s tradition involves no hunt and embraces singing, dancing and merriment with a fabricated wren hanging from the wren pole instead of a real one.

This is one of our favourite designs.  The words on this mug are some of the loveliest written about Manannan and the Isle of Man and are taken from what is known as The Traditionary Ballad. The Ballad tells of the rent/tribute Manx inhabitants paid to Manannan; how St. Patrick banished him and his troupe and how St. Patrick established Christianity in the Island. There is also an account of the first King in the Island, his lineage and how the Island came to the Stanley Family.

The Traditionary Ballad first appeared in 1845 in Train’s History and you can read all quatrains on our parent website at As Manx as the Hills.