1. Dublin: Jeanie Johnston Tallship Emigrant Experience
Take a guided tour of the Jeanie Johnston tallship in Dublin’s Custom House Quay, and learn about the experiences of Irish emigrants in the 19th century. Hear about the daunting transatlantic passage they took, full of hope and desperate to escape the hardship in Ireland during the years of famine. Daily tours take place on board the ship, located downriver from the International Financial Services Centre and across the road from Jury’s Inn Hotel. Once on board, you will be transported back in time 150 years and more to join the poverty stricken Irish emigrants as they boarded the sturdy ship for the difficult voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World. Descend to the dimly-lit quarters below deck to see the grim realities that faced the passengers. In extremely cramped conditions, up to 250 frightened people were abruptly thrown together, completely unfamiliar with the conditions they would face on their sea passage. Life-sized figures in the museum below deck are based on actual passengers who sailed, from the 15 year old girl (Margaret Conway) traveling with her 12 year old brother, to the father of 11 (James Stack) whose livelihood was ruined by the famine. Back on deck, marvel at the ingenuity and craftwork involved in re-creating this genuine replica of a wooden tallship, one of the last of its type to sail the Atlantic in the 19th century. After the tour, you are free to visit the Famine Memorial Statues, located close by on Custom House Quay.