Docked in New Ross, SS Dunbrody is an authentic reproduction of an 1840’s emigrant vessel that tells the story, along with the help from some talented performers, of the mass emigration of the Irish people.
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The Dunbrody was built in a Quebec shipyard by an Irish emigrant shipbuilder who received the order from a New Ross shipping firm. The three-masted ship took less than six months to build and was launched from Quebec the summer of 1845 on the first Atlantic voyage of its long career- just in time to see the potatos struck by disease and farmers in that area losing about a third of their crop. The impact on the people was immediate.
If you’d like to learn about this, albeit sad, period of Ireland’s history we’d definitely recommend making time on your trip to Ireland to take part in this experience.
HIGHLIGHTS OF SS DUNBRODY
The Dunbrody Irish Emigrant Experience gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the hard decisions that led to people becoming passengers and the SS Dunbrody’s role in the history of Irish emigration.
THE HISTORY
The 19th century brought a period of extreme hardship to Ireland, especially in 1845 when potato blight killed the mainstay of the Irish tenant farmers. This, combined with political conflict with Britain, led to the famine. Within only seven years, 1 million people had died and 1.5 million had emigrated in the hopes of a better life than what Ireland could offer.
Can you imagine the thoughts and emotions that would have gone into making such a decision? On the one hand, your family was literally starving so, if you could manage to scrape together enough money, you could sail to North America or Australia with the chance for a healthier and more prosperous life. But on the other hand was the sadness of knowing you were leaving friends and family behind, not likely to ever see them again. And very few people ever did return to their homeland.
THE JOURNEY
Those with skills and money saw a better future abroad and left. But not all of the Dunbrody’s passengers had a choice about their journey. Some were paid to emigrate by landlords who wanted rid of them, and others were sent abroad to ease overcrowding in workhouses.
These stories, and lots more information, provides the first part of the Emigrant Experience as you wander through a path filled with information, a movie, and a guide who tells more of the story and answers questions.
THE SS DUNBRODY
The final stop of the tour is on the ship itself. The guide shows you all around the outside of the ship, explaining which parts were original (like the bell that you are free to give a ring), and which were reconstructed and how.
You then make your way below deck for a feel of how the passengers lived on those rough crossings, and more of their stories-both from our guide, and also from talented actors who portrayed passengers. One lady told us her story as a steerage passenger making her way to America with her husband and children, and the other lady was wealthy and had a very different experience on her crossing. Both did a great job and get their audience involved in the story.
THE EMIGRANT FLAME
Just outside the SS Dunbrody is the Emigrant Flame with ties to the United States. Its first lighting was from fire taken from the Eternal Flame at the graveside of President John F Kennedy in Arlington Cemetery in Virginia. It traveled 3700 miles by land, sea, and air to New Ross to light the Emigrant Flame on June 22, 2013- 50 years after JFK’s visit to the town of his forefathers.
Today the flame burns permanently to remember all emigrants throughout the world. Alongside the flame you’ll find the poem As Slow Our Ship:
❝ As slow our ship her foamy track
Against the wind was cleaving,
Her trembling pennant still look’d back
To the dear Isle ’twas leaving.
So loath we part from all we love,
From all the links that bind us;
So turn our hearts as on we rove,
To those we’ve left behind us. ❞– Thomas Moore(1779-1852)
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO SS DUNBRODY FAMINE SHIP EXPERIENCE
Information last updated January 2020
HOW TO GET THERE
SS Dunbrody can be found at Dunbrody Famine Ship, New Ross, Co. Wexford.
If using satellite navigation, the co-ordinates 52°23’37″N 6°56’52″W will take you to the ship.
Parking is available in a public car park right next to the ship and costs €1 per hour.
HELPFUL LINK:
- If you need an app that will navigate you around whether walking, driving or using public transport and even works offline then click for a guide about how to use Here WeGo.
OPENING HOURS
Opening hours are 0900-1800 every day, the last tour departs at 1700. Please check the SS Dunbrody website for full opening times.
Though the museum and ship interior are undercover, the top deck of the ship is exposed and being on the river it can be windier and colder than you might expect. It may, therefore, be advisable to visit during more pleasant weather if possible.
We would recommend you aim to spend at least an hour and a half at the site.
HOW TO BUY TICKETS & SAVE MONEY ON ADMISSION
Basic admission prices are €11 for adults, €6 for children and students and €9 for concessions. One carer per disabled visitor can visit for free. Family tickets for 2 adults and between 1 and 3 children under 12 range from €23 to €32.
You can save 10% by buying tickets in advance.
If you are visiting the Kennedy Homestead, you can purchase a combination ticket to enjoy further savings.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Dunbrody tour is fully wheelchair accessible, please see the SS Dunbrody accessibility page for full details.
IS THE DUNBRODY FAMINE SHIP EXPERIENCE WORTH THE VISIT?
As a place to learn about a dark time in Ireland’s history when the population dropped dramatically, visiting the ship and learning about the circumstances is very interesting. The tour of the ship is well-done and the actors playing the part of passengers really adds to the experience. Which all makes it a great place to add to your Ireland itinerary.
See what others think of this attraction on Trip Advisor.
ADD TO YOUR IRELAND ITINERARY
Céad míle fáilte… a hundred thousand welcomes is something you’ll see plenty in Ireland. And it’s true, visit the Emerald Isle for its history, rugged coastline and friendly people.
- Watch expert craftsmen creating beautiful crystal from molten glass to the finished masterpiece on a Waterford Crystal factory tour.
- Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operational lighthouse in the world. A lighthouse has stood on the site for over 800 years!
- The reputed site of the conversion of King Aenghus by St Patrick, the Rock of Cashel offers visitors centuries of history and intrigue to explore.
- A three-walled castle wouldn’t offer much defence to attackers. Learn what happened to the missing fourth wall at Kilkenny Castle.
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RESOURCES | PLAN YOUR TRIP TO IRELAND
To book flights, rental cars, accommodations, and activities for your trip, please check out our recommended travel providers, favourite apps and websites.
These are a few tours that we would recommend for your trip to Ireland.
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