My Father's Wake Book

Discover a profound exploration of life, death, and the ancient Irish rite of the wake in My Father's Wake, a moving book by acclaimed author and award-winning filmmaker Kevin Toolis. This intimate, lyrical narrative takes readers to a remote island off the coast of Ireland's County Mayo, where death is not feared but embraced as a natural, essential part of life.

In this evocative memoir, Toolis recounts the wake of his own father, offering an unfiltered look at the traditions surrounding death in Irish culture. The book delves into the rituals of keeping vigil with the dead, digging graves by hand, and the communal act of mourning and celebration. Toolis reflects on how these practices help the Irish overcome their fear of death and live more fully. My Father’s Wake is more than just a memoir; it’s a powerful meditation on mortality and a call to embrace life’s final chapter with grace and understanding.