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Wake Museum Tour: Explore Irish Traditions
4.8
163 Ratings
Waterford
Ireland’s inaugural Wake Museum offers an insightful journey through the customs and beliefs surrounding life and death, spanning from early Christian eras to the 20th century.
Ireland’s inaugural Wake Museum offers an insightful journey through the customs and beliefs surrounding life and death, spanning from early Christian eras to the 20th century.
Duration:
45 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
-
Irish Wake Museum - Located in a former 15th-century Almshouse, the Irish Wake Museum provides a unique chance to delve into a significant aspect of Irish culture, guided by an expert on this comprehensive tour.
Within this evocative building, linked to life and death in Waterford over six centuries, visitors embark on an intriguing journey through…
- Irish Wake Museum - Located in a former 15th-century Almshouse, the Irish Wake Museum provides a unique chance to delve into a significant aspect of Irish culture, guided by an expert on this comprehensive tour.
Within this evocative building, linked to life and death in Waterford over six centuries, visitors embark on an intriguing journey through history. In this cozy setting, the themes of death and funeral traditions are examined to truly comprehend the origins of a wake’s distinctive customs.
What's Included
- Guided Tour
- Professional Guide
- Guided Tour
- Professional Guide
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Gratuities
Additional Information
- Please be aware this tour will include mention of death, injury and illness, as well as realistic depictions of the recently deceased. We greatly appreciate that the subject matter of this museum may be upsetting for some and consideration should be taken to ensure that this is the correct experience for you and your companions.
- We advise that at a minimum it is not suitable for children under the age of 8 years.
- Please be aware this tour will include mention of death, injury and illness, as well as realistic depictions of the recently deceased. We greatly appreciate that the subject matter of this museum may be upsetting for some and consideration should be taken to ensure that this is the correct experience for you and your companions.
- We advise that at a minimum it is not suitable for children under the age of 8 years.
Location
Waterford Treasures: Irish Wake Museum
Cathedral Square
The Irish Wake Museum can be found in Cathedral Square, in the dead centre of the Viking Triangle.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(163 Ratings)
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159valeried
Jul 22, 2026
IRISH WAKE MUSEUM - A VERY DIFFERENT MUSEUM! - Well, this was a different style of museum but so fascinating!
The history of the building & its restoration was interesting.
Our guide was great. There were only 6 in the group which was a perfect number.
There were seats to sit on around the different areas & the tour was not rushed with plenty of time to take photos & ask questions.
I loved the end of the tour which was celebrating the life that our deceased have lived & the opportunity to write a note to loved ones no longer with us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X8745fxlindseyb
Jul 21, 2026
Worthwhile historic talk / experience - Moira was very engaging and fantastic speaker. Very insightful. Thank you
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chrisfa7193nu
Jul 13, 2026
Great informative tour - Wow great history and very informative very well done!!! Loved it thanks Clare
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Catherinenw6256kd
Jul 5, 2026
Death wakes & living wakes in Waterford - Lots of info about the Irish custom of wakes delivered in a chatty informal style. Waterford historical links emphasised. V enjoyable historical experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Greyhairedgranny
Jul 2, 2026
One of the best. - Brilliant !
Very interesting, even funny at times. Alex was an excellent guide, one of the best ever. Well organised, well presented. Book beforehand as only a small group.
Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jojohall00
Jul 1, 2026
A great insight - 01/07/26 we really enjoyed our tour, it was interesting, informative and humorous - would highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
676catrionam
Jun 30, 2026
Really interesting tour for anyone interested in Irish/Waterford history as well as funeral rituals. - Just did this tour this morning and it was absolutely brilliant: the guide (Alex) was engaging and enthusoastic throughout the tour and it covered a lot of Waterford / local history as well as the funeral rituals. The house has been renovated really sympathetically and you can see parts of the original structure as far back as the 1400’s. Tour takes about 45 minutes, then you’re free to go back through and view the many artefacts in your own time. Accessibility: There are 2 sets of stairs to climb, but with a stop at the floor after one set, and there are folding chairs available in each room if needed. Brilliant way to pass an hour, whether you think you know about wakes or not!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paulmb5542xo
Jun 27, 2026
Excellent - Our Guide Deirdre was excellent and very informative, highly recommend a visit
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E9424yhlindac
Jun 12, 2026
The Irish wake - Super little
Museum, well worth the visit!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Monicah664
Jun 29, 2026
Something different but very interesting. - While there were only 2 of us on that particular tour, our guide Debbie delivered a highly informative & enthusiastic explanation of death & the traditional wake process of that era. The tour lasted approx 45-50 minutes & I certainly would have no hesitation in recommending it to others
Review provided by Tripadvisor
