St. Stephen's Day
December 26, the day following Christmas Day, is called St. Stephen's Day in Ireland, and is a public holiday. It commemorates St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr or protomartyr. In Irish it is called Lá Fhéile Stiofán or Lá an Dreoilín - the latter translates literally as another English name used, the "Day of the Wren" or Wren's Day. This name alludes to several Irish legends linking episodes in the life of Jesus to the wren. In parts of Ireland persons carrying either an effigy of a wren, or an actual caged wren, travel from house to house playing music, singing and dancing. Depending on which region of the country, they are called Wrenboys, Mummers or Strawboys. A Mummer's Festival is held at this time every year in the village of New Inn, United Kingdom, St. Stephen's Day is known as Boxing Day.
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