Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship and Famine Museum, located on Custom House Quay in Dublin’s Docklands, County Dublin, is a replica of a 19th-century three-masted barque that carried over 2,500 Irish emigrants to North America during the Great Famine (1845–1852). This living history museum offers an immersive experience into the harrowing journeys of Famine emigrants, combining historical storytelling with an authentic shipboard setting.
The original Jeanie Johnston, built in 1847 in Quebec, Canada, by Scottish shipbuilder John Munn, was purchased by Tralee-based merchants John Donovan & Sons. From 1848 to 1855, it made 16 transatlantic voyages to Quebec, Baltimore, and New York, carrying over 2,500 emigrants fleeing the Great Famine, which killed 1–1.5m and forced 1m to emigrate, reducing Ireland’s population by a quarter. Unlike many “coffin ships” with high mortality rates (25–50%), the Jeanie Johnston never lost a passenger, thanks to its humane captain, James Attridge, and onboard doctor, Richard Blennerhassett. The replica, built between 1993 and 2002 in Blennerville, Co. Kerry, by an international team, is a faithful recreation (oak frames, larch planks, iroko/Douglas fir decks) with modern safety features like a steel keel for stability.
The museum honors Ireland’s Famine emigrants, offering a poignant narrative of desperation, resilience, and hope. It serves as a sail training vessel, corporate event venue, and a top Dublin attraction, emphasizing the Irish diaspora’s global impact, particularly in North America and Australia. Its construction united young people from diverse backgrounds (North/South Ireland, USA, Canada), symbolizing reconciliation and collaboration.
- Guided Tours: The 50-minute guided tour, led by passionate guides like Steve, Katrina, Rónán, or Gearóid, is the core experience, offered every 30 minutes. Visitors explore:
- Upper Deck: See the majestic masts, ship’s wheel, and new tented space (added pre-2025) for shelter. Learn about the ship’s craftsmanship, history, and voyages.
- Below Deck: Experience the cramped, dimly lit quarters where up to 250 passengers lived for 6–8 weeks, with only 30 minutes of daily fresh air. Life-sized mannequins, modeled on real passengers like Margaret Conway (15) and James Stack (father of 11), vividly depict conditions—overcrowding, seasickness, disease risks, and storms. Authentic documentation brings stories to life, such as Margaret Reilly naming her baby after the crew.
- Cargo Area: A new museum space (pre-2025) showcases the ship’s original cargo role (timber, molasses, rum) and equipment, augmenting group visit capacity.
- Exhibits and Storytelling: The tour highlights the Famine’s impact (1845–1852), emigration challenges, and personal stories, backed by surviving records. Visitors learn about the ship’s unique safety record, the crew’s care (e.g., daily cleaning of quarters), and emigrants’ hopes in the New World. Interactive elements, like handling period objects, engage all ages, though the lecture-style format suits older children (5+) and adults best.
- Atmosphere: The replica ship, moored on the River Liffey, immerses visitors in a 19th-century setting, with creaking timbers and tight spaces evoking the era’s hardships. The tour balances somber history with uplifting stories, earning praise for guides’ humor and emotional delivery. Some find the wax figures “kitsch,” but most appreciate their historical accuracy.
- Tours last ~50 minutes, with time to explore the deck or nearby Famine Memorial Statues (by Rowan Gillespie, 1997). A visit takes 1–1.5 hours, often paired with EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum (5-minute walk).
- Cost: Tickets are €11 (adults), €10 (seniors 65+, students 18–26), €19 (teenagers 13–17, likely a typo for ~€10), €6 (children 4–12), free for infants (0–3), and €20 for a family of two adults and two children. Concession/group rates and free entry with the Dublin Pass are available. Online booking via www.jeaniejohnston.ie is recommended, as tours often sell out.
- The ship is not fully wheelchair-accessible due to tight spaces and steps below deck. Those with mobility issues may struggle, and the tour is not ideal for toddlers (under 5) due to its lecture format and confined areas. The upper deck and tented space are more accessible. Audio guides are unavailable, but guides accommodate questions.
- Amenities: No on-site café or toilets; visitors use nearby Jury’s Inn or CHQ building facilities. The gift shop offers souvenirs like photobooks. The ship’s location near George’s Dock Luas stop and parking (Hilton Hotel structure) ensures easy access.
- Appeal and Reviews: With a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award and 4.5/5 ratings, the museum is lauded as “moving,” “informative,” and a “must-do” for its vivid storytelling and historical insight. Visitors (families, what Tourism Ireland marketing department calls the “culturally curious”, tourists) praise guides like Rónán and Catriona for engaging all ages (5–15). Some note high costs for the tour’s brevity or difficulty finding the ship due to poor signage.
- Location and Getting There: At Custom House Quay, Dublin 1 (D01 V9K3), 350 meters east of the Custom House, the ship is a 15-minute walk from O’Connell Street, 12 minutes via Dublin Bus 151 (€2), or 2 stops on the Luas Red Line (George’s Dock). Parking is opposite at the Hilton Hotel. From Donegal Airport, it’s a 3-hour 36-minute drive (183 miles) or 5-hour 25-minute bus via Mc Ginley Coach Travel (€20) to O’Connell Street, then a taxi/bus.
- Nearby Attractions: Pair with EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum (5-minute walk), Famine Memorial Statues (adjacent), Dublin Discovered Boat Tours, or the Irish Family History Centre. Trinity College and Temple Bar are 15–20 minutes away.
What’s New:
- From May to October, tours run daily from 9:30 AM to 5:15 PM (first tour 10:00 AM, last 4:30 PM). From November to April, hours are 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM (first tour 11:00 AM, last 3:00 PM), every 30 minutes. No changes are noted, maintaining accessibility.
- Children and Teenagers Tour: Introduced in 2024, this tour, confirmed for April 14 and 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM, focuses on young emigrants’ stories, ideal for families with children 5–15. Book via info@jeaniejohnston.ie.
- Bloomsday Festival (June 14, 2025): The GPO’s Bloomsday events may spill over to nearby Docklands attractions, including Jeanie Johnston with themed tours or talks about emigration in James Joyce’s Ulysses. While not confirmed, the proximity to O’Connell Street makes tie-ins likely.
- Recent Upgrades: Pre-2025 enhancements include a new cargo museum space, reinstated ship’s wheel, repaired transom, and a tented deck area for shelter, improving group visits.
- Tourism Context: Dublin’s 2025 cultural calendar, including the Dublin Street Photography Festival (May 2–4) and increased tourism from Lonely Planet’s 2024 Donegal ranking, may boost visitor numbers, prompting minor upgrades like improved signage or promotional packages with EPIC.
Practical Tips for Visiting
- Getting There: Walk from O’Connell Street (15 minutes), take Dublin Bus 151 (€2, 12 minutes), or Luas Red Line to George’s Dock. Drive from Dublin city center (5 minutes) or Donegal Airport (3.5 hours). Use GPS (D01 V9K3). Book online to secure spots.
- What to Bring: Wear comfortable shoes for steps; bring a camera for deck views and mannequins. No on-site dining; visit CHQ or Jury’s Inn. Check weather for deck time, as the tented area provides shelter.
- Best Time to Visit: April for the Children and Teenagers Tour or May–October for longer hours. Weekdays avoid crowds; book early for summer or Bloomsday (June).
- Tips: Book via www.jeaniejohnston.ie, as tours sell out. Dublin Pass offers free entry, saving €11. Not ideal for toddlers or mobility-impaired visitors; consider EPIC instead. Pair with the Famine Memorial for a fuller experience.
- Combine with Other Sites: Visit EPIC, Famine Memorial Statues, or Dublinia (10-minute drive). Temple Bar or Trinity College are nearby for dining and culture.
- For the latest 2025 updates, contact Jeanie Johnston (+353 1 872 1916, info@jeaniejohnston.ie) or visit www.jeaniejohnston.ie,.
