EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, housed in the vaulted stone cellars of the old CHQ Building on Dublin's docklands, tells the story of the roughly 10 million people who left Ireland over the centuries and the outsized influence their descendants had around the world. Rather than static display cases, it's a fully digital, interactive museum organised around themes like migration, motivation, influence, and diaspora, with touchscreens, video, and audio profiling well-known emigrants and their descendants — from politicians and astronauts to musicians and business figures.
The location itself is significant: CHQ sits right on the quays near where emigrant ships once departed for America, and the museum leans into that history, covering everything from the Famine-era coffin ships to 20th-century economic emigration. It's a fast-moving, story-driven visit that works well for families and for visitors tracing Irish ancestry, and it pairs naturally with the nearby Jeanie Johnston famine ship replica moored just outside.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum FAQs
Yes, the interactive, screen-based exhibits and storytelling format tend to engage children and teenagers more than a traditional static museum would.
Advance online booking is recommended, particularly in peak tourist season, though walk-up tickets are often available outside busy periods.
Most visitors spend around 1.5 to 2 hours moving through the exhibits, as the format is self-paced and content-rich.
The museum tells a broad historical and cultural story of emigration rather than offering personal genealogy lookup services, though it can be a good starting point before visiting a dedicated genealogy centre.
The museum is generally accessible, being a modern fit-out within the historic building, but check current accessibility details when booking if this is a specific concern.
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