History of the Jeanie
The history of the Jeanie Johnston began when she made her maiden voyage from Blennerville in Tralee, Co. Kerry to Quebec in Canada in 1848 with 193 passengers on board. She carried 2,500 Irish emigrants on 16 transatlantic voyages to North America throughout the Famine years.
The original Jeanie Johnston was built in Quebec in Canada in 1847. She was commissioned by a Scottish-born shipbuilder and master craftsman, John Munn. She was purchased by Kerry-based merchants, John Donovan and Sons, for their family business.
A fitting memorial to Ireland’s Famine emigrants
The ship sitting in Dublin Docklands today is an authentic replica of the original Jeanie Johnston, built to remember and honour Ireland’s Famine emigrants. The re-creation of the Jeanie Johnston was one of the most ambitious maritime heritage projects ever undertaken in Ireland.
The Famine – Relive one of Ireland’s darkest hours
The Famine was one of the darkest periods of Ireland’s history and resulted in a massive loss of life and widespread emigration. Almost ¼ of Ireland’s population either died or emigrated during this time.
The Jeanie Tour
One million Irish people fled Ireland during the famine. 2,500 took a gruelling voyage onboard the Jeanie Johnston. Take a journey back in time, get an insight into life on board a Famine ship and hear the stories of the people who made the gruelling voyage
Times & Prices
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK, TOURS DAILY
Mon-Sun: 10.00, 10.30, 11.00, 11.30, 12.00, 12.30, 13.30, 14.00, 14.30, 15.00, 15.30, 16.00, 16.30
General Admission
Step aboard the Jeanie Johnston for a guided tour of this historic famine ship.
Average time: 50 mins
Prices start at
Adults: €16.00
Child: €10.50
Senior: €13.00
Family Tickets
Bring the entire family!
Step aboard the Jeanie Johnston for a guided tour of this historic famine ship.
Average time: 50 mins
2 Adults & 1 Child: €36.00
2 Adults & 2 Children: €41.00
Additional Child: €9.00
The Jeanie Johnston + EPIC Museum
Step aboard the Jeanie Johnston for a guided tour of this historic famine ship, then continue your journey with a self-guided tour of EPIC.
Prices start at
Adult: 34.00
Child: €18.00
“Steve was friendly, very informative and entertaining. In all of my visits to Dublin I’ve never managed to make time to see the Jeanie Johnston and I’m so glad I did. I learned a lot about the famine and an important part of Irish history and enjoyed exploring the ship. Thank you, Steve! ”
GetYourGuide - Feb 2025
“Can't say enough about our tour. On the deck, our guide talked about the events that led to the large emigration in the mid-19th century. Below deck, the guide talked about life on the ship and why everyone (100%!) survived the Jeanie's passages. Definitely recommend the tour. Book in advance!” ”
GetYourGuide - Feb 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Jeanie Johnston?
The Jeanie Johnston was a 19th-century sailing ship that carried Irish emigrants across the Atlantic to North America during the Great Famine. Over 16 transatlantic voyages, she carried approximately 2,500 emigrants from Ireland.
What is a Famine ship?
Famine ships were vessels that carried Irish emigrants overseas during the Great Famine of the 1840s. Many passengers travelled across the Atlantic in overcrowded and difficult conditions, with disease and poor nutrition contributing to high death rates on some ships. Vessels associated with particularly high mortality became known as “coffin ships.”
Was the Jeanie Johnston a coffin ship?
No. Although the Jeanie Johnston carried emigrants during the Great Famine, she became known for her remarkable safety record. No passengers died aboard the ship during her emigrant voyages, distinguishing her from many of the ships associated with Famine-era emigration.
When and where was the original Jeanie Johnston built?
The original Jeanie Johnston was built in Quebec, Canada, in 1847. She was later purchased by the Kerry merchant family John Donovan & Sons and used to carry emigrants from Ireland to North America.
Where did the Jeanie Johnston sail from and where did it go?
The Jeanie Johnston carried emigrants from Ireland across the Atlantic to North America. Her first emigrant voyage left Blennerville, near Tralee in County Kerry, in 1848, carrying 193 passengers to Quebec, Canada.
How many emigrants travelled on the Jeanie Johnston?
Approximately 2,500 Irish emigrants travelled aboard the Jeanie Johnston during 16 transatlantic voyages in the Famine years.
Did anyone die aboard the Jeanie Johnston?
Remarkably, no passengers died aboard the Jeanie Johnston during her emigrant voyages, despite carrying approximately 2,500 people across the Atlantic. This was unusual during a period when disease and death were common on many emigrant ships.
What happened to the original Jeanie Johnston?
After her years carrying emigrants, the Jeanie Johnston continued to operate as a cargo ship. In 1858, she became waterlogged while crossing the Atlantic. The crew climbed into the rigging, where they survived for nine days before being rescued. The ship eventually sank, but all of the crew survived.
Is the Jeanie Johnston in Dublin the original ship?
No. The Jeanie Johnston moored on Custom House Quay in Dublin today is a replica of the original 19th-century ship. It was created to commemorate the story of Irish Famine emigration and the people who crossed the Atlantic in search of a new life.
Why is the Jeanie Johnston important to the story of the Great Famine?
The Jeanie Johnston helps tell the human story of the mass emigration that transformed Ireland during the Great Famine. Through the experiences of its passengers and crew, its story provides an insight into why people left Ireland, what they experienced on the Atlantic crossing and the journeys that took thousands of Irish emigrants to North America.
