Attraction
Book of Kells Experience at Trinity College
The ninth-century Book of Kells and the 65-metre Long Room of Trinity College's Old Library, with immersive digital galleries in a separate pavilion.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
An interactive museum in the Docklands' CHQ building telling the stories of Irish emigrants across 20 galleries, with a genealogy centre on site.
At a glance
- Type
- Interactive history museum
- Area
- Docklands, Dublin, Ireland
- Opening
- Open daily · 10:00–18:45
- Official site
- epicchq.com
Good to know
- Interactive galleries
- Genealogy centre
- Daily guided tour
- Free return visit within 10 days
Why we recommend it
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum tells the story of the millions of people who left Ireland and the influence they had on the countries where they settled. It opened in May 2016 and was founded by Neville Isdell, a former chairman and chief executive of the Coca-Cola Company. It has since been named Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards three years in a row, from 2019 to 2021.
The museum is inside the CHQ Building, a bonded customs warehouse built in 1820 to designs by John Rennie and completed by Thomas Telford. Across 20 interactive galleries it explores the stories of the people who emigrated from Ireland: why they left, where they went and the mark they made on the wider world.
The approach works well for families with school-age children and for anyone with Irish ancestry, who can continue their research at the Irish Family History Centre inside the museum, an on-site genealogy centre. History buffs will appreciate the depth of the material, though the format is more multimedia than artefact-led.
General admission takes about 90 minutes, and many visitors stay longer. The ticket includes a free return visit within ten days, which is useful if you run out of time. A daily guided tour in English runs at 13:00 and lasts about an hour, and there is a combined ticket with the Jeanie Johnston famine ship replica moored nearby. The museum is open seven days a week from 10:00, with last entry at 17:00. Check the museum's accessibility guide before visiting if you have specific needs; the introductory film is audio described. Prices differ for adults, children and seniors, and booking ahead is sensible in summer and on weekends. For anything else, the museum can be reached by phone on +353 1 906 0861.
EPIC is on Custom House Quay in the Docklands, a ten-minute walk east of O'Connell Bridge along the north quays. The Jeanie Johnston is about two minutes away, and the Custom House and Samuel Beckett Bridge are also nearby.
If you are tracing family roots, gather names, dates and places from relatives before you travel, so you can make the most of time at the Irish Family History Centre.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum FAQs
What are EPIC's opening hours?
EPIC is open seven days a week from 10:00 to 18:45, with last entry at 17:00.
How long does a visit take?
General admission takes about 90 minutes, though many visitors spend longer.
Can I come back another day?
Yes, general admission includes a free return visit within ten days.
Are there guided tours?
Yes, a daily English-language guided tour runs at 13:00 and lasts about an hour.
Can I research my Irish ancestry there?
Yes, the Irish Family History Centre is located inside EPIC.
Is there a combined ticket?
Yes, a combination ticket with the Jeanie Johnston ship is available, taking about two and a half hours in total.
Where is EPIC?
In the CHQ Building on Custom House Quay in the Dublin Docklands, Dublin 1.
How do I contact EPIC?
Call +353 1 906 0861.