EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Interactive museum in the vaults of the CHQ building on Dublin’s docklands, telling the story of Irish emigration through 20 galleries.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum was founded by Neville Isdell, who was born in County Down, left Northern Ireland as a child and later became chairman and chief executive of Coca-Cola. He felt that the story of Irish people around the world deserved a museum. After several studies of a possible national diaspora centre in 2012 and 2013, he bought the CHQ building in 2013 and funded the museum there. An academic advisory panel researched the content, and the London design consultancy Event Communications designed the galleries. Former President Mary Robinson opened EPIC in May 2016.
The museum lies in the vaults of CHQ, built between 1817 and 1820 as a store for tobacco, tea and spirits and overlooking the River Liffey, from where many people left during the Famine. About 70 million people around the world claim Irish ancestry, and EPIC explores how emigrants shaped other countries and how emigration shaped Ireland.
Instead of showing objects in cases, EPIC is a fully interactive, self-guided museum with 20 galleries that use video, sound, touchscreens and motion-sensor quizzes. Visitors receive a passport that is stamped as they move through the galleries, and the themes include music, dance, sport, literature, science and politics. Most visitors spend around 90 minutes. The Irish Family History Centre, which offers genealogy consultations, is next to the gift shop at the exit.
Highlights
- 20 interactive galleries on Irish emigration and the Irish around the world
- Passport that is stamped on the way round
- Located in the historic vaults of the CHQ building by the River Liffey
- Free return visit within 10 days with a standard ticket
- Irish Family History Centre for genealogy consultations
Permanent exhibition
- EPIC – the Irish emigration experience – Twenty interactive galleries on the reasons for emigration, the journeys of Irish emigrants and the influence of the Irish around the world in music, sport, literature, science and politics.
- Founded
- 2016
- Operated by
- EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €22 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €19Seniors (65+) and students |
| Children & teens | €11free up to age 5 · Child ticket for ages 6 to 12; teenagers aged 13 to 17 pay €15; infants aged 0 to 5 are free. |
| Seniors | €19Aged 65 and over. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Carers are admitted free. |
| Students & apprentices | €19 |
| Groups (20+ people) | –Groups of 20 or more book through the sales team. |
| Families | €582 adults and 2 children. |
| Teenager (13–17) | €15 |
| Family pass, 1 adult and 1 child | €29 |
| Family pass, 2 adults and 1 child | €47 |
| Joint ticket EPIC and Dublinia, adult | €34 |
The online prices are listed here; the prices on the day are €2 higher for adults, seniors and students (adult €24, senior and student €21), €1 higher for teenagers and children (€16 and €12), and the family passes cost €31, €50 and €60. A standard ticket includes a free return visit within 10 days. Members of ICOM are admitted free with their card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum and the CHQ building are fully wheelchair accessible, with lifts to every level, and a courtesy wheelchair is available on request. Visitors walk about 450 metres on a single level. All films and audio-visuals are captioned, printed scripts are available in more than eight languages and there are Braille explainers for the passport. A quiet room offers a calm space, and sensory-friendly evenings with muted audio and sensory kits can be arranged on request for the first Thursday of the month. Carers are admitted free.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
| Family ticket | €58 · 2 adults and 2 children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
The museum is suitable for families, with interactive exhibits and a passport that children can stamp. Museum trails and a special kids tour are available on the museum app, and there are family passes and special events for children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Connolly Station · 5-min walk
Connolly Station is a 5-minute walk away, Pearse Station and Tara Street Station 7 minutes. Luas Red Line to George’s Dock (this stop is closed until December 2026; Connolly Station is the alternative). Dublin Bus routes 14, 15, 27, 31, 32, 42, 43, 53 and 130 to Amiens Street / Connolly Station; the G-Spine routes G1 and G2 stop at the Hilton Garden Inn. Hop-on hop-off tour buses stop at Custom House Quay.
By car
Paid parking
The Q-Park IFSC car park is next to EPIC on Commons Street, behind the Hilton Garden Inn. There is a coach drop-off point at the museum; the Docklands Bus and Coach Park is on Sheriff Street Lower behind Connolly Station.
EPIC is in the CHQ building on the north side of Custom House Quay, an 8-minute walk from O’Connell Bridge; its entrance is beside the arch next to CHQ. There are electric vehicle charge points nearby.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Lockers
The museum has a gift shop. Coin-operated lockers take carry-on sized luggage (€1 coins). Cafés and restaurants are in the CHQ building, and visitors can leave and re-enter the museum with a stamped ticket.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Events can be held in the historic vaults of the CHQ building, with an optional tour of the museum before the event.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | no |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (EN, GA, DE, FR, ES, PT, IT, PL, ZH) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Personal photography is welcome inside and outside the museum; commercial photography and filming need permission. |
| Good to know | The museum is self-guided. An audio guide device can be hired at the ticket desk for €3, and the free Smartify app can be used on a phone with headphones. School tours and genealogy consultations at the Irish Family History Centre are booked separately. |
