Waterford 'celebrates death' as new museum opens

IRELAND'S newest museum - The Irish Wake Museum - has been officially opened in Waterford city. 

The museum traces the customs, traditions and superstitions associated with death from the earliest times to the twentieth century. 

It is located at what was the former Dean John Collyn’s Almshouse, a retirement home which was known as  ‘God’s People’s House’ and was founded in 1478 on All Souls Day November 2, the ‘Day of the Dead’.

The occupants of the former Alms Houses paid for their keep by praying three times a night for the souls of its patrons and the souls of the deceased citizens of Waterford. 

Performing the official opening, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien said: “I am delighted to support this imaginative initiative which celebrates how death has always been a community event in Ireland. I’d like to congratulate Waterford City and County Council on another remarkable conservation project demonstrating yet again their commitment to our heritage.” 

The museum is the latest in the Waterford Treasures collective of Museums at Waterford’s Viking Triangle.

It houses a remarkable array of objects associated with death in Ireland which the Waterford Museum of Treasures has been collecting for the last ten years and will offer visitors an opportunity to explore rituals that hold global intrigue and that are entirely unique to Ireland on an intimate guided tour experience.

In addition, The Irish Wake Museum has partnered with the multi-award-winning Waterford Whisky and visitors will also be able to book tickets to an Irish Wake and Whisky experience.

Mayor of Waterford Cllr, John O’Leary said: “The Irish Wake is a unique and intrinsic element of Ireland’s heritage. It brings communities together, it is a time to grieve together but it is also a celebration of life. The new museum is a distinct tourism proposition in a global sense and added to the award-winning collection of museums in Waterford City it re-affirms Waterford not only as Ireland’s oldest City, but an ancient City which celebrates its own heritage and that of Ireland for its locals and visitors alike.”

The exhibition ends by urging people as others have for centuries to Memento Mori - remember death.   

In keeping with the spirit of the founders of the almshouse Waterford Treasures will donate €1 from each admission ticket to the Waterford Hospice Movement.