The Jeanie Johnston Ship

Moored along the north quay of the city, this magnificent three-masted ship is the Jeanie Johnston. A faithful replica of the Canadian-built vessel, it was originally constructed in Quebec in 1847. This floating museum tells the story of the brave and determined Irish emigrants fleeing their country to escape the Great Famine, in search of a new life in North America during the 19th century. The Jeanie Johnston made a total of 16 transatlantic crossings, carrying up to 250 passengers per travel, even though it was only legally permitted to carry 40 at a time. In total, 2,500 people travelled aboard this ship. What makes the Jeanie Johnston so famous in Irish immigration history is that it was different from other ships at the time. Most ships transporting emigrants were known as “Coffin Ships” due to their overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. Life onboard was so harsh that many passengers did not even make it through the journey. In contrast, the Jeanie Johnston was relatively safe, with better sanitation, a competent crew, onboard doctors, and proper ventilation. Remarkably, not a single passenger died on any of its voyages. Extraordinary news, considering that some ships lost over a third of their passengers. Through testimonies and artifacts from these miraculous journeys, this historic frigate accompanies visitors back to dark times in Irish history—a chapter that forever altered the country’s demographic situation. Worst, there were more people living in Ireland before the Great Famine than there are today in 2024. And surprisingly, there are five times more Irish people living in the United States than in Ireland itself.