Irish Wake Museum opens in Waterford, Ireland. 

• It is housed in the country’s oldest urban domestic building, founded in 1478.

• The museum explores customs, traditions and superstitions related to death.

• It features a collection of objects gathered over a decade by Waterford Museum of Treasures. 

• Guided tours offer insights into Ireland’s wake rituals and mourning practices. 

• Exhibits include a processional cross and a miniature coffin. 

Ireland’s newest museum, the Irish Wake Museum, has opened its doors in Waterford, bringing a unique twist to the city’s cultural scene. 

Housed in the oldest urban domestic building in the country, an almshouse which was founded on All Souls Day in 1478, the museum offers visitors a journey through the customs, traditions, and superstitions associated with death.

It is located in what was formerly known as Dean John Collyn’s Almshouse, affectionately referred to as “God’s People’s House”.

The 545-year-old almshouse was a retirement home for the elderly, who paid their keep by offering nightly prayers for the souls of patrons and deceased citizens of Waterford.   

The Irish Wake Museum features an astonishing array of objects related to death in Ireland. Visitors can embark on an intimate guided tour experience, delving into Ireland’s wake rituals.

Wakes usually take place in the deceased person’s home, where their body lies in an open casket or on a bed. The house is often adorned with flowers, candles, and religious symbols.   

Friends, neighbours, and extended family members visit the wake house to offer condolences and support to the bereaved family. Visitors typically spend time with the family, sharing stories and offering prayers.

 The wake provides an opportunity for family and friends to share memories and humorous stories about the deceased. This helps celebrate their life and brings comfort to those mourning their loss.

And, of course, an Irish wake wouldn’t be complete without raising a glass of stout or whiskey to the deceased. And so, the museum has partnered with Waterford Whisky to offer a combined Wake and Whisky experience. 

On exhibit at the museum is a processional cross from 1450 which was found with some gold rings in the 1860s in a field in Waterford.

One of the more unusual items is a miniature coffin which was sent home from America in 1844 with human ashes inside.

The whole experience taps into the Irish gift for black humour — the reception desk is in the shape of a coffin.

  You can find out more about the museum at this link.