For many, including the Celts and Druids, the wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) used to be considered a sacred bird and it was most unlucky to harm it in any way. However, around Christmas time of each year, it would be hunted down and killed as a sacrifice.
On the Isle, this ritual hunting of this small bird would seem to have originally taken place on Christmas Day, when folk would head out in the early hours to hunt down and kill their prey, before bringing it back to the local church. It would then be plucked and buried with much ceremony and singing in Manx.
The feathers of the dead bird were considered lucky and were believed to have the power to protect fishermen from shipwreck, to say nothing of a more general protection against witchcraft.
Later, the custom seemed to move to St Stephen’s Day on 26 December. Young men would chase down the birds, beating them from bushes with long sticks and general carousing.
They would then suspend their dead quarry on top of a pole decorated with ribbons and evergreen leaves - which would then be paraded around the houses where more dancing and singing would take place - before the feathers were distributed and hopefully some form of financial contribution would be made to the performers.
There is also a belief that Hunting the Wren is carried out on the 26th to commemorate the martyrdom of St Stephen on the Feast Day which bears his name - Laa’l Steaoin - and a further line of thought suggests the hunt is an act of revenge against a witch who lured Manx men to their deaths in the sea, then escaped by turning into a wren and flying away.
To hunt the Wren start at the above coordinates, where the wren was originally nesting and you will find answers to the questions below. Now fully grown it has flown the nest and made its home in a nearby green oasis. To find its new hiding place you will need to work out the coordinates from the clues below. Please remember to bring your own pen/pencil and also note whilst dogs are not allowed in the Sensory Garden they are allowed in the final destination, which is a popular place, so be aware of muggles!
N 54 AB.CDE W 004 FG.HIJ
A= Number of flagpoles
B= Number of chimney pots being used as plant pots minus 3
C= Number of gates providing access to the garden
D= Number of senses the garden has been designed to stimulate
E= Inside the garden, looked at from the side what number does the notice board make
F= From the year the garden was opened you need to find X e.g. 201X
G = Number of big coloured pencils
H= The number of the Sight Zone on the map
I= The total number of benches around the 2 poles in the centre of the garden
J= The number of all the musical chimes hanging on the frame minus 7
Happy Hunting !
Congratulations twoofnine on another FTF!
