Comments on: The Irish Country Wake

By: 75 Best Irish-Interest Articles and Posts of 2010 | Irish Fireside

75 Best Irish-Interest Articles and Posts of 2010 | Irish Fireside — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:20:28 +0000

[...] debt crisis, David J. Lynch gives a look at the nation once hailed as the Celtic Tiger. The Irish Country Wake by Imen McDonnell, Married an Irish Farmer Being married to an Irish farmer has taught Imen [...]

By: pretty far west

pretty far west — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:08:28 +0000

Roll on Mr. McDonnell; we’re all looking forward to meeting him!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:17:59 +0000

Love the blog, as always. The Irish country wake sounds beautiful & respectful.

By: Deirdre

Deirdre — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:26:02 +0000

I have to admit that what it is I love about your blog is seeing things that just are – through fresh eyes. Sometimes you forget that while things have always been that way and will continue to be that way it’s not that way everywhere – if that makes any sense at all! Within my family I’ve had two leave from a funeral home and two from their own home. My grandmother (nan-nan) died last summer and we had somebody sit in the room with her until she was brought to the church – I thought it was a lovely thing.
Anyway thanks for the fresh point of view as ever it’s a wonderful thing.
D.

By: laura

laura — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:23:01 +0000

Many removals still take place from people’s homes. My grandmother’s and my mother’s did. There is also a tradition of walking through the town behind the hearse to the church. Personally, I would absolutely hate to be removed from a funeral home. They are so cold. I think maybe you are surprised at how many funerals people in Ireland go to becasue you are not yet stuck forcibly with how close to each other everyone in Ireland is. The seven degrees of separation theory – in Ireland it’s more likely to be one or two. In small towns and communities this is even more true. Remember, Ireland is still a country where you can write someone’s name and address on an envelope and just put in the townland and county and your post will find its way to them. We have no need for post codes in rural Ireland. I grew up in a city, but my grandmother lived in a small town and was well known in it. The whole town turned out for her removal and funeral and then some. Likewise for my mother. I remember people saying to me afterwards how large the crowds had been, but she knew a lot of people, even acquaintances who had shared hospital wards with her turned out. I thought that was really touching. The death of someone you love is a very difficult period and Irish funerals (large and lovely as they are) really help a family to get through the initial few days. Whatever about the crowds present at the removal and funeral, the hidden element is all the masscards and letters you get in addition from people unable to make it. For years afterwards, people will still apologise to you if they weren’t at the removal/funeral. My father told me at the weekend about someone apologising to him for not being able to make it to my mother’s funeral and it will be her second anniversary next month. Long live the Irish funeral tradition. If you remain in Ireland for the rest of your life, a day will come when you will be so grateful for people turning out to support you in your time of need and grief and you will be glad it isn’t a small private affair.

By: Debbie Summers

Debbie Summers — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:12:07 +0000

I personally think the Irish have the right idea