The Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship - An Irish Famine Story

Explore Ireland’s dark history

The brave, the bold and the desperate. Follow in the footsteps of those who fled the Famine…

The Jeanie Johnston tells the story of the thousands of Irish people who fled the Famine and embarked on a treacherous voyage in the hope of a better life in North America.

School Tours

Bring the Famine to life for your class like never before with a trip to a replica of a real Famine ship.

The Famine in Ireland

The Great Famine, also referred to as “The Great Hunger”, lasted from 1845 and 1849 and was the single greatest disaster in Irish history. It is estimated that between 1 and 1.5 million people died during the famine

WHAT VISITORS SAY

Amazing!

This remarkable replica of a famine ship, tells the story of those caught in the potato famine and their desperate bid for a new life elsewhere. The dark history is treated with respect and sensitivity, but also with hope and humour, making for a fascinating and intriguing experience..

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VISIT DUBLIN’S DOCKLANDS

Don’t miss your chance to experience all that Dublin’s Docklands has to offer, from the haunting Famine Sculptures to the award-winning EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. With a tempting range of pubs and restaurants nearby, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

NEWS & EVENTS

The story of the Irish who were paid to emigrate

During the Great Famine, around 1.8 million emigrants left Ireland to start new lives in North America. Thanks to increased trade between there and the UK, the cost of passage had dropped. It made financial sense for ships to carry cargo both ways - and one of...

The Evolution of Transatlantic Travel

Thanks to Ireland’s position on both the edge of the Atlantic and the edge of Europe, it has often been at the centre of the development of transatlantic travel. From the first steamship crossing to Foynes’ flying boats, here are some key journeys worth knowing about....

16 Atlantic crossings, 0 lives lost and 1 baby boy: The Jeanie Johnston famine ship in numbers

Back in April 1848, the Jeanie Johnston began its first journey as a famine ship with 193 passengers on board. Sailing from Blennerville in Co. Kerry, it crossed the Atlantic Ocean and landed at Quebec where 194 passengers disembarked. During 16 transatlantic...