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.
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.
Options
Irish Wake Museum Tour Rituals of Death and Celebration of Life
What‘s Included
Guided Tour
Professional Guide
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
130 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wake tour
Cathy B,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very interesting and informative tour. Our guide gave us lots of good information, and answered any questions we had. The renovation of the building was interesting as well. I think it is a tour worth the money
Wake Museum
mandy i,May 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really enjoyed our visit to this quirky museum.
Lived up to my expectations
lostmary,May 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This museum was my main reason for revisiting Waterford and it did not disappoint. Liam is a wonderful storyteller; he took us through the history of the building as well as the history of Irish traditions. He was open to questions during the tour, and stuck around after to receive any questions. After the tour, we were allowed to go back through and take a closer look at the cases. The tour took about 45 minutes with a little bit of time to wander back through the rooms. The admission fee was well worth it!
Interesting
janet f,May 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00This museum is a guided tour it is very interesting and informative would definitely recommend
Go do this!
nancycM4712YW,May 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Moya did a terrific job on our tour. So evocative and informative. The setting was wonderful. Highly recommend this tour.
An enlightening experience amongst the dead
Venture446727,May 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fascinating. Liam our host was outstanding, a great storyteller. Thank you so much for bringing us closer to death as we still live :-) Eimer
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!
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