Did you know? The Irish have a very particular approach to death. It’s a vision imbued with philosophy, wisdom and fatalism, and is reflected in a tradition all its own: the Irish Wake.
Very important to the population, it demonstrates the special relationship of the Irish to life and death… but also to religion and to the spirit of family and camaraderie…
A look back at a social phenomenon that has existed for centuries…
A Celtic cross – Neil Tackaberry – cc
In Ireland, death is celebrated in a unique way.
From the wake to the funeral, Irish people gather together to commemorate the deceased.
But the most important part of the ceremony takes place during the wake, which lasts almost the whole night.
It’s an opportunity for mourners to pay tribute to the departed, in an unusual atmosphere.
It’s this wake that corresponds to the Irish Wake.
Traditionally, Irish Wake begins with the wake of the body in the home of the deceased.
The family prepares the house to welcome the deceased.
It’s usually set up in a main room, such as the living room.
Relatives and friends come to pay their respects, watching over the body and reciting prayers.
This closeness to the deceased symbolizes the acceptance of death as a natural part of life.
Contrary to a morose view of death, the Irish Wake is often marked by a celebration of the life of the deceased.
Memories are shared over a few pints, stories are told, and laughter frequently breaks out.
It’s an opportunity to remember the good times spent with the deceased, and to acknowledge the impact they had on those who knew them.
But that’s not all! Music also plays a central role in Irish Wake. Traditional Irish songs are given pride of place.
Musicians are specially brought in, members of the congregation improvise as singers, and all share in the outpouring of sadness, laughter and joy.
The songs can be melancholy or joyful, reflecting the wide range of emotions felt at the wake. Music serves to unite participants and express feelings of loss, nostalgia and gratitude.
Food and drink are also essential elements of an Irish wake.
Traditional dishes are often served, and Irish whiskey flows freely.
Sharing a meal and raising a glass in honor of the deceased are acts of solidarity and communion, offering comfort and support to the grieving family.
While it may seem strange in the context of grief, it’s not uncommon for games or jokes to be shared at an Irish Wake. These moments of humor are seen as a way of defying sadness and celebrating the uniqueness of the deceased.
It’s a way of affirming that even in death, the joy of living must not be forgotten.
A militant act full of wisdom, it demonstrates the strength and conviction of the Irish in the face of loss and death.
A Banshee in the heart of the Irish night – © Declan Hillman
A common superstition during an Irish Wake is to cover the mirrors in the home of the deceased with a cloth.
It was believed that mirrors could trap the soul of the deceased, preventing its passage to the afterlife.
Covering them also prevented spirits from manifesting themselves or disturbing the living.
It is customary to open a window in the room where the death occurred, allowing the soul of the deceased to leave the house freely.
The window must remain open until the body is removed, to prevent the soul from being trapped.
House clocks are often stopped at the hour of death.
This practice symbolizes the stopping of time for the deceased, and also prevents bad luck from befalling the house or the living.
Although less common today, this superstition involved hiring a “sin-eater” to consume a meal placed on the body of the deceased, symbolically absorbing their sins to ensure that the soul could enter paradise.
This mission was usually delegated to fallen priests.
Putting coins on the eyes of the deceased had a dual function: it prevented the eyes from opening after death (which would be a bad omen) and represented payment for passage to the afterlife, a custom that dates back to antiquity.
Banshees are female spirits in Irish mythology whose cries herald imminent death.
Hearing the cry of a banshee was seen as an omen of death, and it was not uncommon for people to claim to have heard banshees crying before or after the death of a loved one.
Candles were often lit around the body during the wake to ward off evil spirits and guide the deceased’s soul to the afterlife.
When the body of the deceased is removed from the house, it must be taken out feet first to prevent the spirit from returning.
In addition, all chairs used at the wake must be overturned once the coffin has left the house, preventing the spirits from sitting.
The Irish Wake is a centuries-old tradition.
It is thought to date back well before the arrival of Christianity in Ireland.
Originally, the event was probably influenced by ancient Celtic beliefs, which revered death as a passage to another world.
Over time, these vigils incorporated Christian elements, while retaining their pagan essence.
The practice has evolved into an occasion where relatives and friends of the deceased gather, not only to mourn the loss of a loved one, but also to celebrate his or her life.
The Irish Wake is more than just a funeral custom. It is first and foremost an expression of the Irish philosophy of life. It reflects an acceptance of death as an inevitable part of human existence, and a recognition of the importance of community in times of sorrow.
The Irish Wake is a tribute to the idea that life should be celebrated, even in death, and that the memory of loved ones lives on through shared stories and memories.
In this way, community and solidarity help to overcome the loss of a loved one.
By commemorating the deceased in a spirit that is both festive and melancholy, the Irish demonstrate the ambivalence and complexity of life…
For them, it’s possible to mourn as well as smile…
Although modern practices and outside influences have altered some aspects of the Irish Wake, the tradition remains alive in many parts of Ireland.
Home wakes are sometimes replaced by funerals in funeral homes, and the length of the wake may vary.
However, the essence of Irish Wake – bringing loved ones together to honor the life of the deceased – remains intact.
The Irish Wake Museum in Waterford – © Patrick Browne for Waterford Treasures
The wake is so important in Ireland that the tradition has its own museum!
The Irish Wake Museum is located in Waterford.
The museum offers a wide-ranging exhibition on the rites, traditions and symbolism behind the Irish Wake.
A fascinating visit, if a little macabre…
But that’s part of its charm!
