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Wrenboys in Dingle have commemorated the exploits of two brothers who were arrested by the Black and Tans for defying the Wren ban 100 years ago.
On Valentine’s Day 1920, Paddy and John Foley ignored warnings from authorities and marched through the town of Dingle while playing music in traditional Wrenboy costume.
As the War of Independence intensified, martial law had been proclaimed throughout Munster.
The city of Dingle was under the control of the Auxiliary forces and Black and Tan, and the Foley brothers were arrested and imprisoned for several days.
Today, the members of Sráid Eoin Wren gathered outside the Foley house in Sráid Eoin (John Street) and played a tune in honor of the brothers and their act of defiance.
The Wrenboys were joined by a handful of neighbors during the socially estranged street gathering.
While traditional Wren celebrations were canceled in Dingle this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, Aoife Granville of Sráid Eoin Wren said it was important to honor the Foley brothers.
“We have a very strong Wren tradition here on our street and the way the Foley brothers faced the Black and Tans has always been a source of great pride for our street. They were very brave and courageous to do it,” he said. .
“We are playing the well-known Wren tune ‘Old Comrades’. This is not only a tribute to the Foley brothers, we are also honoring all those generations who have helped keep our great Wren tradition alive in this city, especially those who have made it have held on during challenging times. “
Dingle is a bastion of the kings’ tradition, where various kings march through the city collecting money for local charities.
After consulting with the gardaí last week, the decision was made to cancel this year’s festivities.
Niall Kennedy of Goat Street Wren said the decision was extremely disappointing but necessary.
“It’s devastating. The Wren means everything to us here in Dingle, it’s part of who we are. We spend the whole year waiting for it. It’s bigger than Christmas Day.
“But we had no choice but to cancel it as there was a risk of huge crowds coming out. At the end of the day, we have to protect our community, especially our older neighbors,” Kennedy said.
Thousands of people descend on the western city of Kerry each year to celebrate the much-loved tradition and soak up the electric atmosphere generated by the Wrenboys.
Today, the streets were empty, with only the banners of the different Wren groupings on display outside the Wrenboys’ respective headquarters as a poignant reminder of strange times.
On Valentine’s Day in Dingle, you would usually hear the traditional Wrenboy cry: “We haven’t died in winter yet!”
This year, that cry of defiance resounds like never before, as sacrifices are made for the community to confidently overcome this winter’s great challenge.
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