Bridge of Tears

Migration had and has a huge impact in Ireland. This small stone bridge, locally known as Droichead na nDeor, or the bridge of tears, is a reminder of that. Emigrants on their way to Derry, where they boarded ships to the New World, said goodbye on this bridge. The bridge inspired William Percy French to write the poem "An Irish Mother" and the folk group Clannad to their moving "The Bridge of Tears."

People also talk about an 'American wake.' During that American wake, farewell was said to a family member who would emigrate to America, Canada, Australia, or elsewhere. In many cases, it was the last time family members would see each other alive. The emigrants were, so to speak, attending their own funeral.

Ierland - Peter Vandermeersch