Graphic Digital Design Year 4
Louise Mullen
It won’t Kill you to talk about Death
It won’t kill you to talk about death is an overview of Irish cultural traditions, those
surrounding storytelling and the rituals of death and mourning. Inspired by memories of
the designer’s childhood and listening to the folklore stories, passed down through
generations, like many others have experienced in their childhood. The story of the
Banshee led to looking into how this folktale was associated with death and said to have
followed a family surname. A more in-depth analysis led to how the Irish dealt with
death. Death is not just a sombre affair but a celebration of life, epitomized by the
traditional Irish wake and funeral.
These gatherings served as poignant reminders of the importance of community,
remembrance, and the celebration of life. The idea was to capture the essence of these
rituals, celebrating storytelling and the black humour the Irish possess. Traditional wakes
and funerals that once defined mourning are slowly fading away due to cultural
changes, the work aims to inform of how death is deeply ingrained in Ireland’s history
and mythology. The work is a testament to the Irish who have long found solace and
strength in coming together to honour the deceased, and how the Irish do death well. A
collection of stories from people who have celebrated these traditions, finding comfort in
telling their stories with a touch of humour.