#strawboys

[now-winter-comes-slowly]

The Wren boys at Cork Hall, 1843, by D. Maclise. Traditionally in Ireland, Wren Day would take place on St. Stephen’s Day, 26th December. A wren would be hunted, paraded round the town on a decorated pole, and followed by mummers (specifically, strawboys, who you can see here) who would collect money from the townspeople. To this day a cruelty-free version of the tradition persists. 

[michellehartonart]

"The Straw Boys Stop The Wedding", a painting of mine from my folklore collection is still on show @signalartscentre in Bray until this Sunday at their annual open exhibition. #strawboys #wrenboys #irishtraditions #irishfolkart #signalarts #wicklowireland https://www.instagram.com/p/CD0woR_HEKp/?igshid=1em1k6urnd1cp

[michellehartonart]

Hi everyone, remember today is the very last day to get my work at their current prices. If you are interested in a piece let me know as I will be raising all my prices tomorrow. Payment plans are available. 👍 This painting comes from my collection "The Hollow" an exhibition based on the folklore, legends and ghost stories of Cavan. "The Strawboys Stop The Wedding" Acrylic and pastel on paper 58 x 77cm, 22.8 x 30.3″ Professionally framed in a black wooden box frame, size: 62.5 x 81 x 5cm, 26.6 x 31.8 x 2″ Price: €650 This account of the Straw Boys comes from Redhill’s; the Straw Boys would appear at the bride’s house before the wedding to hold it up. The Straw Boys were considered a sign of good luck and for them not to appear at a wedding meant your family was being snubbed. The Straw Men concealed their identities behind stylised hats made of straw and collected their reward in the local pub after their work was done where money had been left with the barman to quench their thirst. #strawboys #strawmen #wickermen #irishtraditions #irishfolklore #folkart #artwithstories https://www.instagram.com/p/B9JqNpznsvp/?igshid=2l6l17y8c8wz

[garnettwilliams-blog]

Look at my Strawboys they’re so happy. They got some cool textures too

[cartysfolly]

The #strawboys at a #wedding in #mayo some years back. Today just a social and #culture #dramatic and #dance group they originally were a #secretsociety from #agrarian #unrest times in the #westofireland

[picard-schreckensberger]

Strawboys 

The true mummers go with their madcap revelry at Christmas and celebrate the winter solstice in the way of always. Strawboys in straw dress go out to weddings all through the year. Wrenboys go out on St. Stephen's night.

[quatermasspitt]

Photograph of three strawboys outside at Lios Bu¡, Kilnamartry, Macroom, Co Cork, Ireland. November 1952

Photo by George Pickow

[wephotograph-blog]

Grainne Quinlan, Strawboys

The surviving rituals of strawboys and mummers, found predominantly in the West and North of Ireland, offer a mysterious connection to arcane rural Irish traditions. Certainly dating back to the middle-ages, but arguably even earlier, they offer a peculiarly Irish link to the wider European tradition of masked mummers found on certain feast-days in Britain, France, Germany and elsewhere. Adorned in bucolic clothing and conical straw masks, mummers and strawboys are only occasionally seen as part of the Irish cultural landscape. Mummers generally appear at Christmas time and Strawboys appear at weddings, marking significant times in the life-cycle of the community and the individual. Despite their bizarre and even intimidating appearance, the strawboys and mummers are seen as welcome ‘gate-crashers’ at a party, with the straw representing fertility and good luck.

As Irish society modernised, the strawboys and mummers, became increasingly viewed as old-fashioned. With emigration during the 1950s, the widespread practice pretty much petered out. However, in small pockets of Ireland, the tradition lives on, and to this day scattered troupes offer their services, with their raucous behaviour and musical accompaniment becoming part of the night’s entertainment.