EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is an interactive, technology-driven museum located in the historic CHQ building in Dublin's Docklands. It chronicles the history of the Irish diaspora, detailing the stories of millions of people who left Ireland over the centuries and their subsequent influence on global culture, politics, and science.
The museum is housed in a 19th-century tobacco warehouse, which was originally designed by John Skipton Mulvany. Through twenty themed galleries, the exhibition utilizes digital archives, personal narratives, and immersive displays to explore themes of identity, migration, and the enduring connection between the Irish at home and abroad.
Key Facts
- Materials
- Stone, Cast iron, Glass
- Civilization
- Irish
- Accessibility
- Fully wheelchair accessible
- Date(s)
- 1820 (CHQ Building)
- Condition
- Restored and active museum
- Original Function
- Tobacco warehouse
- Key Figures
- Neville Isdell
The CHQ Building
1820The museum is located in the CHQ building, originally known as the Stack A warehouse. It was designed by John Skipton Mulvany and served as a customs warehouse for the Port of Dublin, playing a central role in the city's maritime trade history.
Museum Foundation
2016EPIC was founded by Neville Isdell, a former chairman of The Coca-Cola Company, with the aim of creating a world-class visitor experience that tells the comprehensive story of the Irish diaspora.
Modern Development
2016-PresentSince its opening, the museum has been recognized for its innovative use of technology in storytelling. It has received multiple awards, including Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards.
Cultural Significance
EPIC serves as a vital repository for the history of the Irish diaspora, framing emigration not as a loss, but as a global expansion of Irish influence. It provides a space for the millions of people of Irish descent worldwide to reconnect with their heritage and understand the complex socio-economic factors that drove migration throughout Irish history.
Interpretive Notes
Scholarly debates and areas of uncertainty
The museum's focus on the 'success stories' of the diaspora is occasionally discussed in academic circles regarding whether it sufficiently addresses the trauma and systemic hardships faced by early emigrants, or if it leans toward a celebratory narrative of the Irish abroad.
Visiting Information
Entry Rules
Open daily from 10:00 to 18:45. Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance. No specific dress code is required.
Best Times to Visit
Weekdays during the morning hours are generally quieter. The museum is indoors, making it a suitable year-round destination regardless of weather.
Photography
Personal photography is permitted throughout the museum. Flash photography and tripods are prohibited to protect the exhibits.
Nearby POIs
5 shownSources & Further Reading
- [1]The Irish Diaspora: A Global History — Enda Delaney. Cambridge University Press (2013)
- [2]
Key Facts
- Materials
- Stone, Cast iron, Glass
- Civilization
- Irish
- Accessibility
- Fully wheelchair accessible