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‘s Included
Guided Tour
Professional Guide
Gratuities
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
Reviews
107 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great out of the ordinary tour
Flyer374872,
Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00It was a very unique look into the past. The tour guide was phenomenal. Highly recommend the experience. This was definitely not "touristy". Admission fee was not outrageous. 45 minutes was the perfect amount of time to learn about Waterford's history of death and funerals.
Guide was great
AlanBuck75,
Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour with Tobie Wonderful way to spend an hour. Insightful, quirky and humorous, Tobie, our guide made the visit fascinating and enjoyable. Thoroughly recommend.
Unforgettable and emotional
470eddieh,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely fabulous tour and had the most wonderful tour guide. Tobie made the journey into the past a very special memorial occasion for us. The Wake museum is a most of all ages and tells the history of how the Irish sends the loved ones onto their final journey
Dead on!
emacauley41,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Really enjoyed today’s tour. Debbie was a wonderful storyteller , Well worth a visit if you are in Waterford. Great insight into superstitions, history and traditions.
Great tour
G8626SVgeraldineb,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very informative and enjoyable. A great guide! Good to learn about local history and what has happened on our doorstep.
Very interesting and worthwhile visit to an unusual themed museum.
penkyp,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Laura gave a great insight to the happenings and traditions of the Irish Wake. Might sound strange to visit a museum all about dying but was surprisingly well worth it.
unique experience
juliacF2657RH,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00what a wonderful experience! Our guide Claire was lovely and had a great sense of humor talking about a delicate subject. Beautiful preservation work and was so delighted that the admission benefits local hospice org. less than an hour, good family activity (adults)
Unique tour
jodim344,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really enjoyed this tour. The artifacts collected/displayed were weaved into the stories of the tour guide. They incorporated technology in a cool way. Our guide was entertaining to listen to and I learned a lot. We moved fairly quickly through the museum, but had time after the tour to go back and look at the things that were talked about.
A must see
Tour42341189347,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience. Our tour guide deirdre was amazing 👏. would definitely recommend a vidit my 11 year old son loved it.
An Irish wake explained
cliodhnac2015,
Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The age old tradition of a irish wake "brought to life" by the entertaining tourguide Claire and the very interesting exhibits. The sorrow of the bereaved and the customs surrounding their final goodbye throughout history, touched everyone.
From €13.50
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