About the Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship
Listen, for a raw slice of Docklands Dublin history among its fascinating museums, climb aboard the Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship moored on Custom House Quay. This exact replica of a 1848 cargo vessel that carried 2,500 emigrants to North America without losing a single soul during the Great Famine is hauntingly brilliant. Operated by Dublin City Council, it's a floating museum that punches way above its size, with guided tours revealing cramped quarters, replica bunks, and captain's logs that make the horror real.
Docked amid the Docklands' glassy towers and Luas lines, it contrasts desperate 19th-century sails with today's vibrant quayside, smell the tarry ropes, hear the Liffey slosh, feel the ghosts of the Famine era.
What to Expect
45-minute guided tours (small groups), interactive displays on the Famine's impact, ship anatomy, and survival tales. Climb ladders to decks, touch artefacts like period tools. Seasonal sailings too! Family-friendly, with kid-focused facts; audio in English mainly.
Insider Tips
Tickets €10-12, book ahead via site or EPIC desk nearby (combo deals). Best in good weather for post-tour Famine Memorial pics (100m away). Morning slots beat winds; pair with EPIC for full emigration day. Local secret: Sunset views from deck over Samuel Beckett Bridge are magic. As your Dublin mate, I'd say it's essential for understanding why Docklands museums resonate, history that hits home. Slot it into your 10 days in Dublin itinerary!