The idea behind an Irish Wake is to celebrate the person's life and welcome them to the afterlife with a shot of Irish Whiskey. Irish culture embraces lively conversation with good food, friends and drink, so it's only fitting that they send off their loved ones in the same fashion. It's an extension of their love and respect for the deceased to throw them a party.

As important as the amount and quality of liquor is the amount and quality of wailing or mourning at the wake for the person who has passed. Some families would even hire professional wailers to cry and mourn the passing of their loved one. They were called Keeners.

The dearly departed would be displayed in the main room of the tavern or home with their big toes tied together so their ghost would not roam and scare the relatives.

Here at the Bally Hotel our Irish Wake is filled with our fair share of quality liquor and carrying-on, but not for the dead.

Our tradition is to make the dead rise with laughter! We of course have a "corpse" in a coffin on display in the tavern during the wake. Whoever makes the "dead" rise with laughter gets a free pint. But hands off, you have to have your wits about you!

The Bally Hotel has hosted Finnegan's Wake since its conception over 35 years ago by then owner Jim Finegan. The Wake has grown over the years to become a helluva good time! When the party gets too big for the tavern it spills over into the covered parking lot filled with Pipers and Beer Trucks! Pints, Pitchers and Derbies all around! 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the Green Derbies go to local non-profit organizations in the community!

The Hotel offers traditional Irish Beers and Foods along with today's favorites. The party lasts every night until 2am. The Wake is always the weekend before St. Patrick's Day and lasts at least 3 days, so think of excuses now to tell your boss, because you're not going to be in any condition to work after one of the Bally Hotel's parties!