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We'll Meet Again: Irish Deathbed Visions—Who You Meet When You Die
We do not die alone – that’s the remarkable conclusion of We’ll Meet Again, an extraordinary new book by Colm Keane examining deathbed visions. The book recounts how dead parents, children, brothers, sisters and close friends are among those who return to meet us as we die. Well-known religious figures appear less frequently, while beautiful landscapes are sometimes observed by those who are passing away.
Featuring a riveting collection of 70 real-life stories from all corners of Ireland, north and south, We’ll Meet Again also hears from those left behind who describe after-death visitations and other strange occurrences. The latest scientific evidence is examined.
We’ll Meet Again, written by award-winning journalist Colm Keane, is the first Irish book on this intriguing phenomenon and one of the most challenging studies ever compiled on this fascinating theme.
Colm Keane has published 22 books, including three No. 1s, Going Home, Padre Pio: The Irish Connection and Nervous Breakdown, and 11 top-six chart
bestsellers.
Featuring a riveting collection of 70 real-life stories from all corners of Ireland, north and south, We’ll Meet Again also hears from those left behind who describe after-death visitations and other strange occurrences. The latest scientific evidence is examined.
We’ll Meet Again, written by award-winning journalist Colm Keane, is the first Irish book on this intriguing phenomenon and one of the most challenging studies ever compiled on this fascinating theme.
Colm Keane has published 22 books, including three No. 1s, Going Home, Padre Pio: The Irish Connection and Nervous Breakdown, and 11 top-six chart
bestsellers.
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
9 people are currently reading
533 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 18, 2013
A comforting read- even from a sceptic’s P.O.V...
My granda died very unexpectedly in December of last year and just over six months later I’ve still not come to terms with what happened. Ever since he died though, I have had incredibly vivid dreams about him and my nanna, who died almost three years prior to him. In my dreams they are reunited and happy (and healthy), and not surprisingly, that has given me some modicum of comfort in sorting out my feelings and trying to reach some kind of closure about the whole, sad situation. If they are somewhere ‘else’, then *wherever* they are, they are no longer in pain and I would like to believe that they are together again.
I’m personally not a believer in spirits or ghosts and as to what happens after we die, I’m genuinely not sure, though I desperately would like to think that there is something ‘more’ out there. I’m also an atheist, which means dealing with things like death and whatever comes next is a bit of a grey area for me, personally. Some of my relatives however, are strong believers in spirits, ghosts, whatever they like to call them. My aunty (who is a pretty sensible soul) witnessed my great grandma (who died when I was seven or eight), having what she was convinced was a death-bed vision of her late husband and that has always powerfully resonated with me. Lately I’ve read books in dealing with the more practical side of death (books about autopsies, pathology, forensics etc), but I was drawn to this book, perhaps because again, I felt the need in seeking that comfort and in knowing that whatever comes next for our departing loved ones can only be a positive experience.
In a way, this book did provide that comfort I had been looking for. The accounts of people witnessing other’s death bed visions and their insistence that they *did* happen seems unequivocal and are for the majority, all positive experiences for both the soon-to-be deceased and the eyewitness. Not all of the eyewitness accounts are from religious people either, which is something I had been expecting, though given that Irish are pretty religious people, there was a tad more references to Jesus and the saints than even I had been anticipating. After a while, some of the accounts grew a little bit repetitive too, though I suppose there’s only so many ways one can experience this sort of vision, isn’t there?
Nonetheless, it makes me feel happy that the people who have witnessed such experiences, as recounted in this book are so convinced by what they saw, that they themselves no longer fear the unknown factors that death entails as they are now convinced that their own loved ones will come and meet them when it is the end.
The rational side of me however was alert all through this book and was looking to see if there were logical explanations and arguments offered for the more sceptical folk out there, as to how such visions can perhaps come about. Though a chapter on this was included, it was admittedly a tad glossed over for my tastes.
There were accounts of near death experiences included in the book too, and a bit of history about them and how they date back in written accounts to almost 2500 years ago. I found this historical aspect particularly interesting and it was useful to see some references to the solid research that the author has carried out into his subject, one he is clearly passionate about.
However, though I have not read any of Keane’s other books before, he does seem to have replicated some of his stories from his previous publications in this one. This doesn’t bother me personally, though it may bother people who have read his other works and will see some duplicated information here.
Death Bed Visions is well-written and was certainly an eye opening book for me and is one that I’m glad I read. It’s not the sort of book I would usually read and admittedly has left me with more questions than answers, but given events recently, the more sceptical part of me is perhaps less reluctant to be more of a disbeliever than I usually am.
My granda died very unexpectedly in December of last year and just over six months later I’ve still not come to terms with what happened. Ever since he died though, I have had incredibly vivid dreams about him and my nanna, who died almost three years prior to him. In my dreams they are reunited and happy (and healthy), and not surprisingly, that has given me some modicum of comfort in sorting out my feelings and trying to reach some kind of closure about the whole, sad situation. If they are somewhere ‘else’, then *wherever* they are, they are no longer in pain and I would like to believe that they are together again.
I’m personally not a believer in spirits or ghosts and as to what happens after we die, I’m genuinely not sure, though I desperately would like to think that there is something ‘more’ out there. I’m also an atheist, which means dealing with things like death and whatever comes next is a bit of a grey area for me, personally. Some of my relatives however, are strong believers in spirits, ghosts, whatever they like to call them. My aunty (who is a pretty sensible soul) witnessed my great grandma (who died when I was seven or eight), having what she was convinced was a death-bed vision of her late husband and that has always powerfully resonated with me. Lately I’ve read books in dealing with the more practical side of death (books about autopsies, pathology, forensics etc), but I was drawn to this book, perhaps because again, I felt the need in seeking that comfort and in knowing that whatever comes next for our departing loved ones can only be a positive experience.
In a way, this book did provide that comfort I had been looking for. The accounts of people witnessing other’s death bed visions and their insistence that they *did* happen seems unequivocal and are for the majority, all positive experiences for both the soon-to-be deceased and the eyewitness. Not all of the eyewitness accounts are from religious people either, which is something I had been expecting, though given that Irish are pretty religious people, there was a tad more references to Jesus and the saints than even I had been anticipating. After a while, some of the accounts grew a little bit repetitive too, though I suppose there’s only so many ways one can experience this sort of vision, isn’t there?
Nonetheless, it makes me feel happy that the people who have witnessed such experiences, as recounted in this book are so convinced by what they saw, that they themselves no longer fear the unknown factors that death entails as they are now convinced that their own loved ones will come and meet them when it is the end.
The rational side of me however was alert all through this book and was looking to see if there were logical explanations and arguments offered for the more sceptical folk out there, as to how such visions can perhaps come about. Though a chapter on this was included, it was admittedly a tad glossed over for my tastes.
There were accounts of near death experiences included in the book too, and a bit of history about them and how they date back in written accounts to almost 2500 years ago. I found this historical aspect particularly interesting and it was useful to see some references to the solid research that the author has carried out into his subject, one he is clearly passionate about.
However, though I have not read any of Keane’s other books before, he does seem to have replicated some of his stories from his previous publications in this one. This doesn’t bother me personally, though it may bother people who have read his other works and will see some duplicated information here.
Death Bed Visions is well-written and was certainly an eye opening book for me and is one that I’m glad I read. It’s not the sort of book I would usually read and admittedly has left me with more questions than answers, but given events recently, the more sceptical part of me is perhaps less reluctant to be more of a disbeliever than I usually am.
February 20, 2017
LOVED all of the stories in this book!! Gives me hope for something more than this life when we pass on.
July 11, 2025
I understand why people believe this stuff, and I wish I was one of those people, but this book has left me even LESS convinced than I was when I started. :(
August 27, 2013
I have been reading a lot lately on the topic of near-death experiences and people who come back to tell what they experienced in Heaven. When the publisher offered me an ecopy of this title (it is only available on ebook) to review I was intrigued as it visited that topic but branched out mainly onto deathbed visions and other experiences of the dying and also those of friends and relatives of those who had recently died. While the book did not state it had any Christian content I was hoping to find some by the nature of the topic and the fact that all subjects interviewed for this book were Irish. While the author makes a point of noting that these experiences are found among all peoples, regardless or creed, sex, age, or heritage I was pleasantly surprised to find the majority of the accounts were given by Catholics, of varying degrees of practice. Their religion was never mentioned but the accounts would mention going to Mass, saying the Rosary, praying to the saints, etc. Also while not all accounts were given by Christians almost all of them were, if not Catholic, then another denomination, so I was pleased the book proved to be what I was hoping for.
Divided into sections on deathbed visions, near-death experiences and other visitations which don't fit the other two categories such as relatives being visited the moment a loved one dies across the country or on the other side of the world, the book contains a diverse selection of accounts yet they all have one thing in common, all the participants are Irish born. Keane has written two previous books on the topic of deathbed visitations and he lets us know this book is the result of an accumulation of significant accounts which didn't fit into his other books, simply because he ran out of space or because they didn't fit the specific theme of those other two books. As such, what we get here is account after account which starts off truly fascinating but by its nature starts to become monotonous as the same but different experiences are recounted over and over. My favourite section was the one where my personal interests lie, the near-death experiences, but I did enjoy reading the whole book until at a point in each section, repetition bred a certain monotony. I'd recommend reading in small doses to avoid this. The accounts are written in the words of the participant or the one recounting the event for another so one gets a certain feel for each individual case and I truly believed some while having doubts about others. All the information that I've read on this topic, that there is an afterlife, a Heaven and that we will meet our loved ones again was confirmed by these accounts; there was no new information, merely a atmosphere that so many experiencing the same thing cannot be wrong. I also enjoyed the last chapter in which Keane takes all the common scientific "explanations" for death and near death phenomena and scientifically (or by reason) refutes them. A short and interesting read for those interested in the topic.
Divided into sections on deathbed visions, near-death experiences and other visitations which don't fit the other two categories such as relatives being visited the moment a loved one dies across the country or on the other side of the world, the book contains a diverse selection of accounts yet they all have one thing in common, all the participants are Irish born. Keane has written two previous books on the topic of deathbed visitations and he lets us know this book is the result of an accumulation of significant accounts which didn't fit into his other books, simply because he ran out of space or because they didn't fit the specific theme of those other two books. As such, what we get here is account after account which starts off truly fascinating but by its nature starts to become monotonous as the same but different experiences are recounted over and over. My favourite section was the one where my personal interests lie, the near-death experiences, but I did enjoy reading the whole book until at a point in each section, repetition bred a certain monotony. I'd recommend reading in small doses to avoid this. The accounts are written in the words of the participant or the one recounting the event for another so one gets a certain feel for each individual case and I truly believed some while having doubts about others. All the information that I've read on this topic, that there is an afterlife, a Heaven and that we will meet our loved ones again was confirmed by these accounts; there was no new information, merely a atmosphere that so many experiencing the same thing cannot be wrong. I also enjoyed the last chapter in which Keane takes all the common scientific "explanations" for death and near death phenomena and scientifically (or by reason) refutes them. A short and interesting read for those interested in the topic.
July 23, 2013
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book very much, and thought the author did an excellent job in collecting stories without changing or editing the language each individual storyteller used.
What was missing for me was a stronger framework separate and apart from the stories. Even though this book was separated into chapters separating stories about deathbed visions from those of near-death encounters and other visitations, it felt like all the stories blurred together, and after a while, it felt like it dragged.
I wanted more narrative, perhaps describing Ireland itself "XX happened in County Donegal, YY story from the Cork/Limerick border," may be significant for an Irish native, but for a non-Irish person, those are just names. Are they on the coast, bordered by a river, filled with small towns or big cities, rural and sparsely populated? Or the narrative could have been separated from the stories a bit: Here's a notable feature of deathbed visions - the 'gaze' or 'stare,' with the explanation, then two or three stories that illustrate the point. I felt somewhat swirled and confused, by the end of each section, not sure what the point was, or if there was a point.
The stories themselves were inspirational and uplifting, and I liked the research. The author has certainly sold me on the idea that it's not all over when we die, which is a comforting thought to anyone who's lost someone s/he loves.
I enjoyed this book very much, and thought the author did an excellent job in collecting stories without changing or editing the language each individual storyteller used.
What was missing for me was a stronger framework separate and apart from the stories. Even though this book was separated into chapters separating stories about deathbed visions from those of near-death encounters and other visitations, it felt like all the stories blurred together, and after a while, it felt like it dragged.
I wanted more narrative, perhaps describing Ireland itself "XX happened in County Donegal, YY story from the Cork/Limerick border," may be significant for an Irish native, but for a non-Irish person, those are just names. Are they on the coast, bordered by a river, filled with small towns or big cities, rural and sparsely populated? Or the narrative could have been separated from the stories a bit: Here's a notable feature of deathbed visions - the 'gaze' or 'stare,' with the explanation, then two or three stories that illustrate the point. I felt somewhat swirled and confused, by the end of each section, not sure what the point was, or if there was a point.
The stories themselves were inspirational and uplifting, and I liked the research. The author has certainly sold me on the idea that it's not all over when we die, which is a comforting thought to anyone who's lost someone s/he loves.
August 31, 2013
I got this book as a goadreads giveaway.
First of all I was expecting more from this book ,the writer tried his best in the book to give his opinion in how death is a simple way to go through and he but many examples of deathbed visions or near death visions happened to many characters as an evidence to what he went through in the last chapter of the book but he missed that most of his stories is about cancer patients who may be influenced by many things from drags to mental situations mostly they are elder people of about 70's at the end it was near a search with so many stories without evidence than a book to be read.
First of all I was expecting more from this book ,the writer tried his best in the book to give his opinion in how death is a simple way to go through and he but many examples of deathbed visions or near death visions happened to many characters as an evidence to what he went through in the last chapter of the book but he missed that most of his stories is about cancer patients who may be influenced by many things from drags to mental situations mostly they are elder people of about 70's at the end it was near a search with so many stories without evidence than a book to be read.
August 8, 2013
The topic of this book is actually new to me; I have not read about deathbed visions and things like that before.
I can say that the book is easy to read, it took me a couple of hours to finish it. What I liked most is these short stories about real people. They sort of left me feeling somewhat hopeful because it is naturally comforting to believe that you probably have a greater journey ahead of you.
I can say that the book is easy to read, it took me a couple of hours to finish it. What I liked most is these short stories about real people. They sort of left me feeling somewhat hopeful because it is naturally comforting to believe that you probably have a greater journey ahead of you.
August 28, 2023
I confess that I did find the book too long but only because I am a believer and, therefore, didn't need so many case histories. Having said that, I was impressed that a couple of unsettling episodes were included too. But I much preferred when Keane was referencing history and folk like Plato etc. Ultimately, I would recommend it to anyone who is reading this subject matter for the very first time as it provides a thorough introduction.
October 2, 2022
A different genre of book than I would usually read but a nice change.
Some stories very comforting and backs up what I believe will happen to us all in the end.
Some stories very comforting and backs up what I believe will happen to us all in the end.
February 7, 2015
I received a kindle copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book is more a collection of stories as told by people who have experienced, first hand, either a friend or loved one in the final stages of passing over, and also first hand accounts of Near Death Experiences (NDE's).
I was really looking forward to reading this book as it is a subject which has interested me for most of my life and one I have read many books on.
The book is divided into two main parts, first half is a collection of detailed true stories as related by witnesses of the deathbed visions of a friend or loved one just prior to their passing over.
The second half of the book is as the first half only this time dealing with Near Death Experiences (NDE's) as related by the persons who experienced the NDE.
These stories are convincingly expressed by the participants and can offer a great deal of comfort to anyone who might be grieving the loss of a loved one, or has questioned or worried about what comes after.....or even if there is in fact an afterlife.
I was a bit disappointed that there was not much in the way of further commentary or research observations from the author throughout the book. I have to admit that as much as I liked reading their stories, they started to sound a bit repetitive after reading so many accounts one after the other with no comments or observations to separate them. This caused me to want to keep putting the book down for awhile ...hence my taking so long to finish it...as I didn't feel it did justice to the individuality of each story to read them in that manner.
This is not a criticism of the storytellers or the subject matter, I just think a bit more commentary after every few stories is called for and might hold the readers' attention more. It would also make it easier to absorb more detail, as I found myself wanting to rush through each story to get to some 'expected' reaction from the author, who, apart from a short commentary at the end of the first half of the book, had no further remarks until the end of the second half.
It was only through sheer perseverance that I was finally rewarded with the much awaited, and, in my opinion, valid observations and research matter from the author, though sadly not until the very end of the book by which time I had almost given up.
Normally I would read a book like this in one or two sittings. I did like this book, albeit in smaller than usual doses, and I would recommend it to others who have an interest in this subject....but I would probably forewarn them about the format and suggest they persevere to the end....As I think with the author's response to the stories, and his observations about some of the reported skeptical views, versus the actual experiences, he makes some very valid and convincing points and comparisons which refute those (specifically) negative arguments from the skeptics.
Overall, I think the author has done his homework and readers will find a lot of reassurance can be found within these pages.
September 8, 2013
I received a copy of "We'll Meet Again" Irish Deathbed Visions, Who You Meet When You Die, by Colm Keane, through the Goodreads Giveaway Contest.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this piece of non-fiction, but was intrigued by the topic and peaceful book cover. I was soon engrossed in the chronicles.
This book summarizes the contributors who described their friends or loved ones Deathbed Visions. It is told in their words which gives the book more authenticity. The author describes the term, "Deathbed Visions", as "pre-death happenings", meeting with lost loved ones at the time of death. The encounters with deceased people in near-death experiences and deathbed visions are the same...the fixed stare, the smile, the deceased relatives or friends greet the dying to welcome them to the other side.
This novel shows the extensive research and evaluation, and diversification of their sample(all in Ireland) based on age, sex, religious versus non-religious, that went into the preparation of this novel. The author also gives us an extensive list of reading and resource material for possible interest to readers.
I think this is the type of book, where everyone has memories of losing a close relative or family member, and everyone will have a story of what they saw and went though. These memories we will never forget but treasure them always, deep in out heart. May they rest in peace. Thank you Colm for allowing me to read these enlightening stories.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this piece of non-fiction, but was intrigued by the topic and peaceful book cover. I was soon engrossed in the chronicles.
This book summarizes the contributors who described their friends or loved ones Deathbed Visions. It is told in their words which gives the book more authenticity. The author describes the term, "Deathbed Visions", as "pre-death happenings", meeting with lost loved ones at the time of death. The encounters with deceased people in near-death experiences and deathbed visions are the same...the fixed stare, the smile, the deceased relatives or friends greet the dying to welcome them to the other side.
This novel shows the extensive research and evaluation, and diversification of their sample(all in Ireland) based on age, sex, religious versus non-religious, that went into the preparation of this novel. The author also gives us an extensive list of reading and resource material for possible interest to readers.
I think this is the type of book, where everyone has memories of losing a close relative or family member, and everyone will have a story of what they saw and went though. These memories we will never forget but treasure them always, deep in out heart. May they rest in peace. Thank you Colm for allowing me to read these enlightening stories.
August 4, 2013
Disclaimer first: I got my copy of this book free as a Goodreads giveaway.
I find it difficult to fairly critique this kind of book. So much of what is given as information is based on perception, belief systems, memory, that it can't exactly be looked at in a scientific sort of way. Yet, all of the stories share the theme of there being something after death. At the very least, I found the collection interesting, but some in particular, were more fascinating. Overall, it was a very good, intriguing read. I particular liked it when the people sharing the stories, looked back and tried to make sense of things they saw.
I find it difficult to fairly critique this kind of book. So much of what is given as information is based on perception, belief systems, memory, that it can't exactly be looked at in a scientific sort of way. Yet, all of the stories share the theme of there being something after death. At the very least, I found the collection interesting, but some in particular, were more fascinating. Overall, it was a very good, intriguing read. I particular liked it when the people sharing the stories, looked back and tried to make sense of things they saw.
March 6, 2014
***I have received this book as a giveaway and below is my honest opinion***
I have read about NDE, Reincarnation cases, visits from dead relatives and what not. But this is the first time I am reading first hand accounts about Deathbed visions. This book really is comforting and my fear about death is gone now. Now I am trying to find the book 'Going Home' from the same author:)
I have read about NDE, Reincarnation cases, visits from dead relatives and what not. But this is the first time I am reading first hand accounts about Deathbed visions. This book really is comforting and my fear about death is gone now. Now I am trying to find the book 'Going Home' from the same author:)
August 22, 2013
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway... that in no way influences my review.
While I enjoyed it, it was also a bit dry. Parts of the book, most noticeably toward the end, it read almost more like someone's high school essay or college paper.
I would have enjoyed it more if the stories inside were told with a bit more character. However they were still interesting.
While I enjoyed it, it was also a bit dry. Parts of the book, most noticeably toward the end, it read almost more like someone's high school essay or college paper.
I would have enjoyed it more if the stories inside were told with a bit more character. However they were still interesting.
February 6, 2014
This book was something different for me and overall I found it enjoyable. I like him as a writer, though there were parts which dragged a little. He obviously put a lot of effort into this book, it was very well researched and the author did not push his views on the reader. Good read for this cold endless rain!
December 29, 2019
I loved reading these personal stories of people who have experienced deathbed visions and visitations. For those who believe, there is comfort and truth here. Recommended for people who are facing death in some form or another, or engaging in end-of-life care.
September 10, 2013
Just barely okay. Very long drawn out book about after death, near death and other paranormal experiences. Needed lots of editing to make it interesting and managable length.
December 8, 2013
When you have read Keane's other books you will see that it becomes quite repetitive. It is not that he is using the same stories but rather that all the stories and experiences are quite similar.
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