From the Banshee to Burial: The Strange History of Irish Funerals

2026-04-15

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Irish funerals and wakes are one of the more famous aspects of our culture. Often taking the form of a celebration, it has been said we do death well. However the modern Irish funeral is not the timeless tradition we often imagine. In this episode of the Irish History Podcast I explore the strange history of Irish funerals and the lost world of 19th-century death customs.Drawing on folklore and first-hand accounts, I explore the history behind the banshee (bean sí) and other less well known death omens. I also trace the ...

Drawing on folklore and first-hand accounts, I explore the history behind the banshee (bean sí) and other less well known death omens. I also trace the strange and unsettling rituals, superstitions and wake traditions that once surrounded death in Ireland - customs that can be difficult to relate to today.

From the banshee to the grave, this is a journey into a lost world of grief, ritual and belief.

Written, researched, and presented by Fin Dwyer

Sound: Kate Dunlea

Voice Actors: Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray

If you want to learn more about wakes, check out this episode recorded in the Irish Wake Museum https://shows.acast.com/irishhistory/episodes/the-irish-wake-a-history

Sources

* Patricia Lysaght, The Banshee: The Irish Death-Messenger https://archive.org/details/bansheeirishdeat0000lysa

* St. John Seymour, True Irish Ghost Stories https://archive.org/details/trueirishghostst00seymiala

Duchas.ie, the National Folklore Archive

https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4602737/4599804/4634242

https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4427971/4362341/4466724

https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4649683/4646384/4650807

https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4427866/4351921/4435336

https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4649683/4646384/4650807

https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4758475/4747226/4779806

https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5008831/4959379/5072669

https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4623003/4622767/4630843