By Dan Walsh
The new Dunbrody Famine Ship visitor experience in New Ross, was officially opened on Friday by Taoiseach Simon Harris TD. This enhanced visitor experience follows an investment of €1.6million from the Department of Rural and Community Development, Fáilte Ireland, and Wexford County Council.
The attendance included Cllr Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, Cllr Bridín Murphy, Cathaoirleach New Ross Municipal District Council, Minister James Browne and Paul Kehoe TD.
Fáilte Ireland estimates that over a ten-year period, the Dunbrody Famine Ship experience has the potential to attract over 211,000 additional local, domestic and overseas visitors, generating over €9million in visitor expenditure for the local economy and supporting 36 jobs.
Taoiseach Simon Harris TD said; “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.”
Heather Humphreys TD said; “As Minister for Community Development, it was a great honour to approve funding of €880,000 towards this phase of what is a larger commitment I have made of €5,560,000 to the wider New Ross Tourism Transformation Project. I think it’s fair to say this project absolutely fits that bill – it will be a game-changer for New Ross, and I cannot wait to see the full tourism transformation project completed.”
Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin TD said: “This new visitor experience will serve to engage and educate visitors from at home and abroad while also preserving the human stories of The Great Famine.”
Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland said; “Fáilte Ireland is proud to contribute €295,000 in capital investment to the overall €1.6million Dunbrody Famine Ship upgrade, delivered in collaboration with Department of Rural and Community Development and Wexford County Council. This attraction was already a key part of the tourism offering in Wexford and Ireland’s Ancient East and these upgrades offer a new immersive visitor experience that tells the important story of our emigrant past, while also boosting the local economy.”
Seán Connick, CEO of the JFK Trust, which manages the Dunbrody Famine Ship, said; “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. We extend our gratitude to the Department of Rural and Community Development, Wexford County Council, and Fáilte Ireland for their support.”
Eamon Hore, Deputy Chief Executive at Wexford County Council said; “We in Wexford County Council are delighted to be associated with the launch of this project. 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.”
The Dunbrody investment project is part of a wider tourism and economic development plan for New Ross, funded through the RRDF: The ‘New Ross Tourism Project’; which includes the High Hill Norman Gardens, completed, and opened in 2022; and the proposed Norman Visitor Centre which is at design stage. The delivery of this plan continues to establish the town as a destination that visitors want to come to.
WexfordLocal.com 