taking our culture forward

Hunt the Wren is one of the most interesting Manx traditions still practised on the Isle of Man today.

On St. Stephen's Day (the 26th of December) communities come together across the Isle of Man to dance and sing around the streets. The practice, dating back to pre-Christian times, is centred on a wren, "the king of all birds," which is hunted and then danced through the streets on a special pole.
(In case it needs stating, the bird in the wren pole today is just a replica!)

Information on where and when to Hunt the Wren on 26 December 2023 is available here.

Videos

Videos

  • Hunt the Wren

  • Hunt the Wren (song) performed by The Mollag band

  • The Wren Pole

  • Hunt the Wren sung at the Tynwald Inn (26 Dec 2018)

  • "The Wren, King of all Birds"

  • Tehi Tegi: A Manx folktale

Audio

Images