Hunt the Wren

The Manx tradition of music and dance. No wrens are killed in this event. The Hunting of the Wren is not unique to the Island but has a long established tradition here.

In Manx folklore Tehi Tegi a beautiful witch enchanted the men of the Island and was banished but returned as a wren. It is this symbolic wren which hangs in the Wren Pole and becomes the centre piece for dance and song. Broom and willow are used to make the Wren Pole which is covered with ivy and ribbons. This smallest of birds is revered as The King of All Birds due to another folk story where the wren outwitted all the other birds in a flying competition.

Various locations around the Island all take part on St. Stephen’s Day. PLEASE CHECK TIMES AS MAY CHANGE

PORT St. MARY: 10am meet in the Scoill Phurt-le-Moirrey car park
DOUGLAS: 10.15am meet (for 10.30am start) outside the Woodbourne Hotel
RAMSEY: 10.30am meet outside St Paul’s Church
St. JOHN’S: 10.30am meet in the Arboretum car park
WILLASTON [TBC]: 10.45am meet in Willaston School Car Park (opp. Manor Pub)
KIRK MICHAEL: 11am outside the Mitre pub (going on to Ballaugh)
BALLAUGH: 11.20am outside The Raven (going on to Sulby)
SULBY: 11.40am at the Sulby Glen Pub