KEEP THE PARTY GOING: IRISH WAKES

This video explores the Irish tradition of 'waking the dead,' when an all-night vigil is maintained at the home of the deceased the night before burial. Family, friends and neighbors congregate to celebrate the life of the dead person and to comfort each other in their mutual loss. Food and drink, music and stories-particularly amusing ones about the deceased-are all part of this long tradition which survives in many parts of Ireland to this day. The video also reveals that the Irish wake, which sends a loved one off into the next life, plays an important therapeutic process.

A Banter Television production
1993, 26 minutes
Purchase: $210 Classroom Rental: $50

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