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
118 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
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.
Incredibly interesting, engaging and beautiful
458mahdim,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was one of the most fascinating and engaging tours I've ever been on. We had Debbie as our guide and she was so incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. She answerd all our questions and treated us with lovely anecdotes. Even being Irish myself, there was so much I didn't know about the customs and superstitions around death. The building is amazing, the story behind it more so and I am so so glad we decided to go there.
Excellent tour presented by a very knowledgeable tour guide
brendalV967JZ,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an Excellent tour delivered by a very knowledgeable guide. We completed the tour on 28/01/26 at 11:45. It was so interesting. The tour guide had such wonderful knowledge of the area, the history, and the customs. And she sang the “Our Father” at the end of the tour. Fabulous- it would make the hairs stand at the back of your neck. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Waterford
Wonderful experience
Navigator05978756162,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience. Took the train from Kilkenny just to visit and well worth it. Tobie the guide was perfect. The exhibits really helped to understand the history.
Belinda
Belinda B,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide called Toby was excellent, brilliant humour & very informative. It was history of Waterford too. Thoroughly enjoyable and recommend. Thank you
A Waterford Gem
97danicag,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We tried to visit The Wake Museum last year and were so glad we could this time around! We’re from Waterford but living in London and this was a lovely way to experience our home town. We’re so lucky to have so many amazing museums and tour guides. Liam was so engaging and knowledgable so we throughly enjoyed our experience! Would recommend to anyone visiting or locals like us :)
Tobie was so much craic
jameswO3168BX,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tobie gave us such an amazing and informative tour that I'll never forget. He is a very passionate tour guide, and when we reached the last part of the tour, he offered me a tissue as I was unexpectedly overwhelmed
From €14.50
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