Irish Wake Museum

Over het museum

The Irish Wake Museum opened in June 2023 in the heart of Waterford’s Viking Triangle and is presented as the first museum in Ireland devoted to wakes. It is run by Waterford Treasures and can only be visited on a guided tour of about 50 minutes.

The museum occupies a 15th-century almshouse on Cathedral Square, a building linked with life and death in the city over six centuries. Reports describe the almshouse as founded in 1478 by Dean John Collyn, a home where residents prayed for the souls of the dead in return for their keep. In keeping with that spirit, one euro from each ticket is donated to the Waterford Hospice Movement.

The tour follows death and funeral customs, beliefs and superstitions from early Christian times to the twentieth century across three floors, using objects from the collection. These include a processional cross from about 1450, a miniature coffin made to hold ashes in 1844 and an engraved silver plaque of 1704 that recalls the dangers of childbirth. The subject matter is frank and includes realistic depictions of the recently dead, so the museum advises that it is not suitable for children under eight.

Hoogtepunten

• Fully guided tour of about 50 minutes in a 15th-century almshouse
• Processional cross of about 1450 used at Catholic funerals
• Miniature coffin for ashes dated 1844
• Silver plaque of 1704 commemorating a young mother
• One euro from every ticket goes to the Waterford Hospice Movement

Vaste collectie

• Rituals of Death, Celebration of Life – A guided tour through three floors of a medieval almshouse explores Irish wake customs, funeral practices and superstitions from early Christian times to the twentieth century.

Opgericht

2023

Beheerder

Waterford Treasures

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

The ticket includes the guided tour. One euro of every ticket is donated to the Waterford Hospice Movement. The museum is not included in the Freedom of Waterford Pass.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk: niet aanwezig
• Lift: niet aanwezig
• Aangepast toilet: niet aanwezig
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The tour takes place over three floors that can only be reached by stairs, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users or visitors who use mobility aids. There are no toilets in this museum; visitors can use those in the Medieval Museum.

Kinderen & gezin

Beperkt geschikt voor kinderenAanbevolen vanaf 8 jaar

Not suitable for children under 8 because of the subject matter; children aged 8 and over pay a reduced ticket.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

Coach set-down is on The Mall outside the Bishop’s Palace. The museums of the Viking Triangle are within about five minutes’ walk of each other.

Service & horeca

• Café: niet aanwezig

No food or drink is allowed in the galleries. The Bishop’s Palace Café is a short walk away.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

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