Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience

About the museum

The Dunbrody was a three-masted sailing ship built in Quebec in 1845 for the New Ross shipping firm of William Graves and Son. She carried cargo and emigrants across the Atlantic, including people leaving Ireland during the Great Famine, and she was known for a low death rate and humane captains at a time when many emigrant ships were nicknamed coffin ships. She ran aground off Labrador in 1875 and was abandoned.

In November 1996 the John F. Kennedy Trust began building a replica in New Ross, to plans by the naval architect Colin Mudie. More than 150 local apprentices and trainees took part in the five-year project and learned traditional shipbuilding skills, and over 100,000 people came to watch the hull take shape in dry dock. The finished ship is moored permanently on the River Barrow at the quayside and does not sail.

A visit is a guided tour of about one hour. It starts with a short audio-visual presentation, continues on the deck and the lower decks, where actors in period costume play passengers and crew, and ends in the visitor centre. There, the Savannah Landing Point exhibition shows what awaited the emigrants in America, and the Irish America Hall of Fame honours Irish Americans such as the Kennedys, Henry Ford and Grace Kelly.

Highlights

• Full-size replica of an 1840s emigrant ship with steerage and cabin quarters
• Costumed guides who play passengers and crew
• Savannah Landing Point exhibition on arrival in America
• Irish America Hall of Fame
• Captain’s Table Restaurant overlooking the River Barrow

Permanent exhibitions

• Dunbrody Famine Ship tour – A guided tour of the replica emigrant ship with costumed actors, from the departure hall at the quay to the steerage and cabin decks.
• Savannah Landing Point exhibition – An exhibition in the visitor centre on the arrival of Irish emigrants in America and their first years there.
• Irish America Hall of Fame – A display on Irish Americans who made their mark in the New World, including the Kennedy family and Henry Ford.

Founded

2001

Operated by

John F. Kennedy Trust

Admission & discounts

Children under 4 enter free. A joint ticket with the Kennedy Homestead is available. Tickets can be pre-booked online, which is advised in summer.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The visitor experience is wheelchair accessible, with a step-free route from the car park, an automatic entrance door and lifts on the ship and in the visitor centre. Access to the ship’s deck is with assistance and depends on the tide. There is an accessible toilet and a charging point for wheelchairs or scooters, and an evacuation chair is available. Stairs have high-contrast edges, handrails and tactile paving. The museum recommends early morning or late tours for reduced noise, and free familiarisation visits can be arranged. A Changing Places facility is planned with a future extension.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

The museum describes the tour as family friendly: children can ring the ship’s bell and turn the wheel and meet the costumed actors. Family tickets are available and children under 4 are free. The route is accessible to buggies.

Getting there & parking

The ship is moored on the quay in New Ross. Driving time is about 25 minutes from Waterford, 35 minutes from Wexford town and 45 minutes from Kilkenny and Rosslare Harbour.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The Captain’s Table Restaurant on the first floor of the visitor centre serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from 09:00 to 17:00 and has river views. The souvenir shop sells Irish heritage books, prints, crystal and jewellery.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit