Lunch & Learn -
St. Stephen, Wrens, and Mummers

Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Time: 11:00 a.m.

Cost: $20 (fee will cover the program and lunch, meal tax and gratuity included)

Location: "The Gallery" at the H.A.R.P. Museum located on the second floor of the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley at 623 Columbia St., Utica

Register: https://bit.ly/3LvDGib 

Contact: Chris Hoke at (315) 733-4228 Ext. 6 or irishccmv@gmail.com

The H.A.R.P. Museum at the Irish Cultural Center continues its popular Lunch and Learn series on Wednesday, December 10th at 11 AM, with a talk on one of Ireland’s more “unique” Christmastime traditions.

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like… Wren Day"?

Christmas in Ireland is pretty much celebrated in the same manner as it is in the United States, with holiday decorations, family gatherings, gift giving and church services. However, the day after Christmas, December 26, St. Stephen’s feast day is celebrated by "Hunting the Wren." 

On this day -- is also known as Lá an Dreoilín, meaning the Day of the Wren or Wren’s Day -- the Wren Boys and Mummers come out. In America and other countries Carolers go door to door, singing Christmas songs. In Ireland, Wren Boys and Mummers, often dressed in straw disguises, also go door to door, but the tradition is to collect food or money or some token of gratitude for their “performance.” 

Michael Hoke, from the H.A.R.P. Museum's Program Committee, will explain the somewhat murky relationship between St Stephen – the first Christian martyr --and a cute but feisty little bird, how the day was celebrated in the past and how it is celebrated today. Don’t worry, no harm will come to any of our fine feathered friends as part of this talk.

A $20 registration fee will cover the program and lunch (tax and gratuity are included). All those interested in attending are asked to register at https://bit.ly/3LvDGib or leave a message at (315) 733-4228, Ext 6. 

The H.A.R.P. Museum is located on the second floor of the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, 623 Columbia St, Utica. All are welcome to attend this program and the museum is wheelchair accessible.

Come in hungry for food and knowledge and leave fully sated!

Those of you who have attended our Lunch and Learn events in the past already know this: Lunch is so much more than just a meal; it’s a relaxed and congenial environment where the day’s presentation is often discussed among the attendees, and where people can interact directly with the presenter.  

Join us for our latest “Lunch and Learn” – Where you can feed your mind and your belly! ☘️

See all of our upcoming cultural events!