Exterior of EPIC museum with large sign, brick facade, glass entrance doors, and planters.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin showcases the history of Irish emigration. ©Tourism Ireland

EPIC Museum – The Irish Emigration Museum

📍 Dublin, Dublin

🏛️ Attraction

Last updated: 26 May 2026

Overview

EPIC – the Irish Emigration Museum – occupies the dramatic 200-year-old stone vaults of the former Custom House Quay (CHQ) warehouse, right in the heart of Dublin’s Docklands. Recognised as Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction for three consecutive years, EPIC is the world’s first fully digital museum of its kind. It tells the sweeping story of the ten million Irish who have left the island since the 6th century, using motion-sensor displays, touch-screen archives, immersive video walls and a self-guided “EPIC passport” that turns the visit into an interactive quest.

History & The Building

The CHQ building was erected in the early 19th century as a customs warehouse, strategically positioned to handle goods arriving through Dublin Port. In 2016, former President Mary Robinson officially opened EPIC, a project championed by Neville Isdell, former chairman of The Coca-Cola Company, who invested €15 million to realise the vision. The interior was designed by Event Communications, the same team behind Titanic Belfast, who transformed the cavernous, historic vaults into a sleek, future-forward visitor experience. A €2 million expansion in 2018 added new themed spaces and dedicated the Irish Family History Centre, allowing guests to trace ancestry and access genealogical records on site.

What to See & Do

EPIC’s 20 galleries are grouped into four narrative arcs that guide visitors through centuries of movement, hardship, and triumph:

  • Migration (Galleries 1-2): Interactive maps chart emigration routes from 500 AD onward. A replica 19th-century ship’s cabin and video testimonies from modern emigrants provide tangible context for the journeys undertaken.
  • Motivation (Galleries 4-7): This section explores the push factors behind Irish emigration, including famine, political persecution, and economic opportunity. Tactile stations and immersive soundscapes convey the emotional weight of leaving home.
  • Influence (Galleries 8-18): Discover how Irish expatriates reshaped global culture, science, sport, and literature. Interactive stations highlight contributions across industries, with hands-on exhibits that let visitors engage with historical artefacts and digital recreations.
  • Diaspora Today (Galleries 19-20): The journey culminates in a living digital wall where visitors can add their name to a global Irish family tree. This space bridges past and present, showing how Irish communities continue to thrive worldwide.

Throughout the museum, motion-sensor quizzes and a digital stamp system via the EPIC passport keep the experience engaging for all ages.

The Irish Family History Centre

One of EPIC’s most practical features is the dedicated Irish Family History Centre. Staffed by experienced genealogists, the centre provides direct access to historical records, parish registers, and census data. Visitors can bring their own research or receive guided assistance to trace surnames, locate ancestral townslands, and understand migration patterns. It is particularly valuable for those with Irish heritage visiting from abroad, offering a structured starting point for deeper family research.

Family & Educational Visits

The museum is designed with younger visitors in mind. The EPIC passport acts as a kid-friendly stamp card, rewarding children with digital stickers as they complete gallery challenges. The on-site café serves child-suitable meals, and the gift shop stocks Irish-themed books, puzzles, and educational toys.

For schools and groups, EPIC runs tailored programmes aligned with primary and secondary curricula, covering migration, storytelling, and digital media. Group rates apply to parties of ten or more, and the museum regularly hosts birthday packages, seasonal workshops, and teacher briefing sessions. Bookings and programme details are available directly through the museum’s website.

Accessibility & Inclusive Experience

EPIC is fully wheelchair-accessible, with step-free routes, ramps, and lifts throughout the vaults. A free multilingual audio-guide app can be downloaded to any smartphone, offering narrated tours in multiple languages. Staff are trained to assist visitors with mobility or sensory needs, and the Irish Family History Centre provides large-print screens and adjustable workstations for those with visual impairments.

Ticketing & Passes

  • Online booking is strongly recommended to secure entry and often includes a small discount over walk-up prices.
  • Family passes and group rates are available; infants enter free.
  • EPIC is included on the Dublin Pass, which grants unlimited entry to over 40 Dublin attractions for a single price.
  • Reduced rates apply for students, seniors, and teenagers. Check the official website for current promotions and concession requirements.

Getting There & Parking

  • Location: CHQ Building, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1. The museum sits directly beside the Famine Memorial and the replica tall ship Jeanie Johnston.
  • Public transport: The Luas Red Line stop Spencer Dock is a two-minute walk away. Several Dublin Bus routes (including 33, 151, and 151A) serve the Docklands corridor. The nearest DART station is Connolly, approximately a 15-minute walk through the city centre.
  • Parking: Several public car parks operate in the Docklands and Custom House Quay area. Pre-booking via Dublin Port Company or nearby private operators is advisable during weekends and peak tourist seasons.

Practical Information

  • Opening Times: Mon-Sun 10:00-18:45 (last entry 17:00).
  • Facilities: On-site café, gift shop, free Wi-Fi, coat check, and the Irish Family History Centre.
  • Nearby cultural venue: The historic Abbey Theatre is a short tram ride away, offering a complementary dive into Ireland’s literary and theatrical heritage.

Nearby Highlights

While you’re in the Docklands, consider a quick walk to:

  • The Famine Memorial on Custom House Quay, a powerful stone tribute to the victims of the Great Famine.
  • The replica Jeanie Johnston tall ship, which demonstrates how thousands of Irish families crossed the Atlantic in the 19th century.
  • The Custom House itself, an iconic Georgian landmark that once processed the very goods stored in the CHQ vaults.
  • The Spencer Dock area, home to modern cafés, boutique shops, and the Dublin Convention Centre.
Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship, Irish Famine Story, Dublin City Docklands
Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship, Irish Famine Story, Dublin City Docklands Courtesy Peter Varga, sayhi@humansofdublin.ie (EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum)

These sites are all within a few minutes’ walk, making EPIC an ideal anchor point for a half-day Docklands itinerary. Book your tickets online in advance to skip the queue, and pick up an EPIC passport at the information desk to track your progress through the galleries.