Festive Dingle

Kerry coastline’s magnificent views charm all year round, however, Dingle – The Edge of Europe – can particularly delight you in the month of December with two of its festive traditions. 

The Wren’s Day – 26th December

Chasing the Darkness of Winter Away

“Hunting the Wren” takes its roots long before the Christianity tradition. In Irish myths birds played a significant role as those in between the realm of life and the realm of death. Wrens were supposed to have beaten their wings on the shields of Irish warriors against the Norsemen to reveal their treachery, they are also blamed for the betrayal of St Stephen. 
Even though nowadays Wren’s chase is only symbolic, in former times, it was hunted and nailed to a pole carried by the procession. 

On the 26^th of December, Wrenboys Parade swirls through roads and it is filled with people wearing straw suits and wrens costumes led by a wooden-head hobby horse. To chase the darkness of winter away, whistles, drums and fifes are played by fancy-dressed musicians, collecting money for the “Wrens Ball” held after New Year. All the funds go to local Charities.  

A community wren ball disco will be held on December 29 at 11:30 p.m. at the Castlegregory West End Hall. All proceeds will benefit the Crumlin Children’s Hospital and the village playground.

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New Year’s Eve Celebrations – Dingle Town

 Dingle Town:  
 
At 10.00 pm in Dingle Harbour, the visitors and locals will come together to welcome 2023! 
The spectacular fireworks show will brighten the sky over Dingle Bay and open the New Year celebrations. 

Next, at 11.30 PM Dingle Fife and a Drum Band will march from O’Flaherty Pub, followed by thousands of people to finish the NY parade at the bottom of Main Street with the traditional countdown to midnight displayed on the clock projected on a building by the bridge.  

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