Wren Hat Competition, With Prizes!

(You’ve seen the very clever hat created by Shannon and Liam. See more examples of Wren hats below.)

Attention all wren boys (and girls, of course). It’s almost time to celebrate the feast of St. Stephen—December 26.

Tradition has it that on that day, the wren boys go from house to house within their towns and villages in Ireland, dressed in colorful clothes, begging for coins, treats and liquid libations. In days of old, they carried the body of a wren on a decorated pole, calling to mind the small bird’s role in betraying the whereabouts of St. Stephen through its incessant chattering.

The tradition lives on in Ireland, albeit with a fake wren, and in its own unique form here, too, in Philadelphia and the Greater Delaware Valley. 

We’re not gathering to celebrate with our traditional big hooley this year, but our wren hat contest continues … and you are invited to compete with your own hat. Make a wren hat and share pictures with us. 

There’s a category for adults, another for kids, and another for the submission that comes from the farthest away. The grand prize in each category is a $50 Amazon gift card.

To enter, e-mail a picture of yourself wearing your hat to ccephila@gmail.com by 12 p.m. ET on December 26. Judging takes place that afternoon, with winners announced later that day. Be sure to tell us your name and where you’re entering from (town or city, state, or country).

The judges reserve the right to revise the categories based on the entries received.

And thanks to Shannon Lambert-Ryan, her husband Fionán de Barra (who edited the video), and their son Liam.