The Jeanie Johnston an Irish Famine Story

About This Tour

Docked along Custom House Quay in the heart of Dublin, the Jeanie Johnston is a full-scale replica of the original ship that carried emigrants across the Atlantic during the Great Famine. Stepping aboard is one of the most powerful experiences the city has to offer, and one that stays with you long after you leave.

Your guide leads you below deck into the cramped, dark quarters where up to 250 passengers spent most of the six-week crossing, emerging for just half an hour of fresh air each day. The stories they tell are real, drawn from the lives of people who left everything behind in the desperate hope of something better. What makes the Jeanie Johnston’s story remarkable is that not a single passenger died on any of its 16 voyages, a record that was almost unheard of among famine ships.

In just 50 minutes, the tour covers the social conditions that drove mass emigration, the terrors of the ocean crossing, and the uncertain futures that awaited those who survived. It is moving, educational and brilliantly told. Children are kept engaged by the theatrical delivery, while adults find themselves genuinely affected by the human stories at its heart.

What’s Included

• Guided tour of the Jeanie Johnston tall ship
• Access to all below-deck exhibits and displays

Good to Know

• The ship is docked at Custom House Quay, central Dublin
• Tours run approximately 50 minutes
• Accessible via public transport - close to Connolly Station and several bus routes
• A moderate level of physical fitness is needed for steep ship stairs
• Not recommended for those with spinal injuries
• Available in English