Emigrants Trail at Dunbrody Famine Ship Visitor Centre launched
County Wexford Chamber was proud to attend the official opening of the Emigrants Trail Visitor Experience at the Dunbrody Famine Ship Visitor Centre in New Ross on Friday, August 30, 2024. This significant event was marked by the presence of An Taoiseach, Simon Harris TD, who performed the official opening.
The Emigrants Trail, an upgraded and immersive experience, tells the poignant story of famine emigrants who journeyed to America aboard a reproduction of an 1840s vessel during the Great Famine. The project, a part of the wider New Ross Tourism Transformation initiative, was made possible through €1.6 million in funding provided under the Rural Regeneration & Development Funds, administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and supported by Fáilte Ireland and Wexford County Council.
Driver of economic growth in New Ross
Representing County Wexford Chamber at this historic event were Chamber President Lorcan Kinsella, CEO Paula Roche, New Ross Development Officer Anne Dwyer, and Board members Walter O’Leary and John Nolan. Their attendance underscores the Chamber’s commitment to supporting initiatives that drive economic growth and strengthen Wexford’s cultural and tourism offerings.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Taoiseach Simon Harris emphasised the importance of the Emigrants Trail: “The €1.6 million investment in this immersive experience not only helps to preserve the memory of the Great Famine but also strengthens our cultural heritage and local tourism economy. The Dunbrody Famine Ship experience will connect visitors with the human stories that shaped our past, while generating jobs and supporting the future prosperity of New Ross and the wider Wexford region.”
Fáilte Ireland projects that over the next decade, the Dunbrody Famine Ship experience could attract over 211,000 additional visitors, generating more than €9 million in local visitor expenditure and supporting 36 jobs.
A boost to Ireland’s Ancient East
Seán Connick, CEO of the John F. Kennedy Trust, which manages the Dunbrody Famine Ship, expressed his excitement about the project. “We are thrilled with the investment in the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience, which has elevated the attraction to a world-class level. The enhanced exhibition and immersive experience will help to position us as a must-see destination in Ireland’s Ancient East, significantly raising our profile internationally.”
The Emigrants Trail project is the second phase of the broader New Ross Tourism Transformation project, following the successful opening of the High Hill Norman Garden in 2022. These developments are part of a strategic plan to make New Ross a premier destination in Ireland’s Ancient East, enhancing the town’s appeal to both visitors and residents.
Eamon Hore, Director of Services at Wexford County Council, highlighted the collaborative efforts that brought this project to fruition. “The Dunbrody Ship and Visitor Experience has been a very important part of the tourism offering in New Ross and in County Wexford for many years, and this investment will consolidate and support its position in our local economy.”