Irish Wake Museum Tour Rituals of Death and Celebration of Life
Overview
Available languages
45 minutes
Mobile ticket
Ireland’s first ever Wake Museum will take you on an exploration of life and death, detailing traditions and superstitions, from early Christian times right up to the 20th century.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Waterford Treasures: Irish Wake Museum
Situated in what was once a 15th-century Almshouse, the Irish Wake Museum offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore one of the most iconic parts of Irish culture, through the eyes of an expert, on this fully guided tour. In this atmospheric building associated with life and death in Waterford across six centuries visitors are taken on a fascinating journey across our history. In this intimate space the themes of death and funeral practices are explored in order to gain a true understanding of the origins of a wake’s unique customs.
What‘s Included
Guided Tour
Professional Guide
Gratuities
Options
Irish Wake Museum Tour Rituals of Death and Celebration of Life
Reviews
125 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wake museum guided tour
bekio2016,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We (6 ladies from England, )visited the Wake museum whilst over in Waterford for a friends 60th birthday celebrations. Our guide was Alex who from the minute we arrived made the experience, engaging ,interesting, mystical engaging and at times, adding humour in all the right places. The tour is 1 hr long but Alex did not rush us through,answering our questions and giving us so much more around Waterford' s history people , places and events and beliefs . Not all of us are history lovers but I can say we all thoroughly enjoyed the tour , Alex made it something much more, worth every Euro.
The Irish Wake Museum is worth your time!
Seas0ned Traveler 7,May 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went on a tour of the Wake Museum and it was fabulous. I think our guide's name was Karen. We learned so much about the history of Irish wakes and the culture and beliefs of those who organized and attended them. It was an hour well spent in Waterford! We would recommend it to anyone.
Definitely worth doing!
Efinkles,May 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. I thought it was a unique museum, and really well done. I'd have liked to hear more about Viking/pre-Christian death rituals, but we may not know enough about that. The history of the location was really interesting.
Great tour
christinagJ7400DP,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lots of information about the building, the city, and funeral customs. Great tour!
100% Reconnended
Una C,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A most interesting and engaging tour. Lots of amazing artefacts too
Great tour
H2863NYdavidm,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really thorough and in depth tour that was both factual and entertaining. Very thought provoking and was well taken care of by Deidre and Alex - great tour and experience.
Very interesting, disturbing and first-rate guide
stephanieaN8729CT,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour. I could say Liam is one of the best guides I've ever had in Ireland. 100% recommended and very interesting.
Fantastic Quick Tour
charlieaT4982UR,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Wake Museum is a fantastic tour, 45 minutes exactly. We had Deirdre as our tour guide and she was friendly, intelligent, and humourous when appropriate. The subject matter is sensitive but the tour walked a nice line between respectful and fun, no bashing of old customs for the lack of knowledge they had. Well worth the ten euro or so spent per person. Would recommend!
Tour
dylas2026,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An amazing experience with an amazing guide
Awakening experience
daniellebD4393HY,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Deirdre our tour guide was so knowledgeable. We learned some very fascinating things. While I’m not a huge fan of a guided tour, it was a great experience with so much to learn and see. Lovely touch at the end as well for people to remember their dead loved ones.
From €14.50
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