Capital capers as Wren Boys’ Festival still in flying form after 20 years

TWENTY years a-growing, Dublin 4’s very own Wren Boys’ Festival lived up to its reputation for fun and divilment at Sandymount Green yesterday.

Some far-seeing people meeting in a pub, where else? rolled out the idea of taking the ancient countryside custom and reviving it in the capital city. Two decades later, the future of the suburban Wren pronounced Wran seems assured.

As in previous years, protocol was strictly observed for the latest edition. Before taking to the open air, or rather the draughty heights of the Guinness Rig, the main players paid the customary visit to Reilly's pub in the village. After a cultural diet of poetry and warming-up music, they set off in their eye-catching outfits to entertain the waiting crowds.

"We've never had a bad day in the Wren, for 20 years," observed founder member Tom Aherne, from Clane, Co Kildare.

Hidden behind a Venetian mask, Pat McEvoy, from Rathcoffey, Co Kildare, sported the only wren on view, perched at the end of the wooden flute he played. His ensemble featured a golden Arabian coat, topped off with dreadlocks and wool hat, both from Jamaica.

"I'd like to see more people dressed up," said Pat, originally from Co Wexford. "But having said that, the same people meet each year. We don't meet each other from one end of the year until the other, but we always meet on Lá an Dreolín." On the Guinness Rig, the nimble-footed youngsters from Olive Hurley's dancing school made light of the chill to entertain the appreciative crowd. It was foot-tapping time when Pat Spillane's Bourbon Street Blues Band breezed in from Naas, Co Kildare, and cool jazz man Paddy Cole nodded in appreciation from among the crowd. Local caterer John Cassidy set up a sidewalk café to help keep hunger pangs at bay. An impressively bearded sight, John managed to keep charge of two giant paella pans, himself bedecked in Tunisian robes. Patrons had a choice of mouth-watering vegetarian and chicken dishes, John's individual fundraising effort.

How much do you charge for the meal, we asked. "As much as I can, it's for charity," he replied. "Hopefully, people will be giving folding money only, but we will take any contribution."

Event publicist Heather Latchford summed up the sentiment: "They're all mad, but in a lovely way. All this year's proceeds go to the Open Door day care centre, in Bray, Co Wicklow. The centre provides facilities and activities for adult members with many forms of disabilities."

Grand marshall Tom Aherne paid tribute to the generosity of the fans. "We collected €7,500 last year. We never had anything like that before usually three to four thousand."

Hidden behind an enormous black fake beard, the irrepressible Bob Ryan, another founder member, recalled how the idea for Sandymount's annual big day took flight when like-minded people gathered in Doheny & Nesbitt's pub. In the early years the backers included publican Dessie Hynes, former Labour Party leader Ruairí Quinn, foreign affairs official Con Howard, Ciarán and Dolly Mac Mathúna and the late ESB chief Paddy Moriarty.

Ruairí Quinn turns out every year for his local big day. He comes with wife Liz to meet neighbours and enjoy the craic. In years past, their son Conal could be seen perched high on his father's shoulders. The young lad's too big to be carried these days, but he's also come along.

Throughout the day, the merriment never falters. Turns are given by City Fair, Clannad, the Swords Mummers, Mick Lacey and other groups of musicians from far and wide playing bodhráns, bagpipes, tim whistles and even combs.