Minister Malcolm Noonan visits Waterford to announce €150,000 funding for new Irish Wake Museum in the Viking Triangle.
Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan visited Waterford to announce €150,000 funding for the new Irish Wake Museum which will open in the Viking Triangle in 2023. The funding will be used for the fit out of the displays and some restoration works on the 15th Century building in Cathedral Square which will house the new museum. The Irish Wake Museum is the latest in the suite of highly regarded museums under the Waterford Treasures banner.
Waterford’s newest Museum will trace the customs, traditions and superstitions associated with death from the earliest times to the 20th century. It will be housed in a medieval Alms House that was opened on Nov 2nd (All Souls Day) in 1478. The residents of the Alms House were obliged to get up 3 times during the night to pray for the souls of the dead. The Museum will house a remarkable array of objects associated with death in Ireland which the Waterford Museum of Treasures has been collecting for 10 years.
Speaking after the announcement, Eamon McEneaney, Director of Waterford Treasures said: “The Irish Wake is one of the iconic parts of our national culture and I am bowled over by the generosity of the Minister. Without his assistance this project would not come to completion. I would also like to thank Marc Ó Cathasaigh TD for his assistance and for showing a continued interest in the project since it began over a year ago.”
Marc Ó Cathasaigh, Green Party TD for Waterford added: “The group of museums under the Waterford Treasures banner has put Waterford on the historical tourism map of Ireland. With the architectural gem that is the Medieval Museum – the only purpose built museum specialising in medieval history in Ireland – The Bishop’s Palace, the Museum of Time, The Museum of Silver, King of the Vikings and now the Irish Wake Museum we have a museum to interest everyone.
Deputy Ó Cathasaigh continued: “I would like to thank my colleague Minister Malcolm Noonan for his interest in this project and I would also like to pay tribute to Eamon McEneaney’s dedication to preserving the history of Waterford and Ireland through our unique museums and collections which are of interest to both locals and visitors alike. The economic, social and cultural benefits to Waterford as a result of our highly successful museums in the Viking Triangle cannot be overstated and I look forward to seeing the Irish Wake Museum become another unique attraction for Waterford”
