Irish Funerals, Wakes and the Stories of Glasnevin Cemetery
High crosses at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin
Death is a universal ending to life. But cultures around the world treat it differently. And I have been fascinated with how it is dealt with in Ireland.
Like many countries, it is celebrated in style. That goes for the formal funerals that pay tribute to a life well-lived and to the wakes that are far from formal and go well into the wee hours. It’s in a wake that you hear the stories of how a life was well-lived, and where it is celebrated in unmistakable Irish style.
Death is celebrated and it’s everywhere.
Glasnevin in Dublin
The cemeteries in Ireland are magnificent. The high crosses, the gravestones dating back thousands of years and the surrounding atmosphere. Those cemeteries are in every community. Of course there are huge grounds, like Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin, where many of Ireland’s notable are buried alongside souls of 25 different religions and those of no religion at all.
The Gravedigger’s Bar across a fence from Glasnevin
Learn the history of Glasnevin, all about the famous Gravediggers Bar at its entrance and how the newly dead are remembered daily on the radio.
The Gravedigger’s Bar is a must see if you go to Glasnevin.
It’s all in Episode 37 of Erin’s Isle.