Moored on the quay at New Ross is a ship that tells one of the most important stories in Irish history. The Dunbrody is a full-scale, seaworthy replica of an 1840s emigrant vessel — one of the “coffin ships” that carried tens of thousands of starving Irish people across the Atlantic during the Great Famine. Stepping aboard, and into the cramped darkness below decks, is one of the most affecting heritage experiences in the country.
The Crossing
The original Dunbrody was built in 1845 and carried emigrants from New Ross to North America in the worst years of the Famine. The replica recreates the conditions of those voyages in unflinching detail: the steerage quarters where whole families shared a single bunk, the meagre rations, the disease and the fear. Costumed actors play emigrants and crew, telling individual stories that turn an abstract historical catastrophe into something deeply personal.
More Than a Ship
The guided tour is built around live performance and storytelling rather than static displays, which is what makes it so memorable. The visitor centre also houses the Irish America Hall of Fame and an emigrant database, reflecting New Ross’s place at the heart of the Irish diaspora story — this is Kennedy country, and the connections to America run deep.
Practical Information
The Dunbrody Famine Ship is on the quay in the centre of New Ross, about a 30-minute drive from Wexford town and easily combined with the nearby Kennedy Homestead and JFK Arboretum. Tours run regularly through the day; allow around an hour. There is a café and shop on site. Check the website for current tour times and book ahead in peak season.
This is one of our Top 15 Things to Do in Wexford.