In recent years St Stephens Day on Cape clear Island has been enlivened by the reappearance of the traditional wren boys following the intervention of artist, musician, writer, craftsman, and historian Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc who set about reviving old traditions and customs during his two year sojourn on the Island. Pádraig has left us but the good spirit he engendered lives on and this year the Wren Boys are again planning to take to the Islands high ways and by ways with their songs, costumes and instruments in the interests of good cheer, hospitality and charity.
Various good causes have been assisted over the years and all funds collected in 2009will go towards providing basic cooking facilities in two schools in El Salvador. While free primary education has been available for many years many of the counties poorest children cannot afford to attend due to the cost of school uniforms and shoes and those that continue to go hungry are in no condition to learn anyway. This year the new Government is providing free uniforms and shoes as well as basic foodstuffs to every school to provide a simple meal for every child every day. This is a laudable effort in a poor country but sadly the funds do not extend to the provision of cooking staff or facilities. Parents are volunteering to prepare the food using basic rudimentary and unhygienic outdoor facilities. Whatever funds are collected will go 100% towards upgrading the cooking facilities in two such schools serving 100’s of children in the Capital City San Salvador.
This year it is reported that some younger members of the community are practising hard in order to join the troupe and we look forward to more fun filled festival cheer on this St Stephens Day 2009.
ENDS
