Joining Our Forefathers At EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum
Many Irish people have long migrated to other countries, as far back as 500 AD. Even those from my own family haven’t stayed in Ireland permanently in recent years, as many have chosen to live in foreign countries for various reasons.
When I first heard of EPIC when it opened in 2016, I was sceptical, as it was owned by a private business. But when I had entered its halls, I wept as I saw many of my own people traversing the seas to settle in distant and foreign lands for salvation.
If you’re looking to learn or study the myriad of reasons why the Irish people have left their homeland, then EPIC is one of the best places to do so. We’ll provide you with an extensive guide and include a few tips to make your visit a truly memorable one.
What is EPIC Known for?
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is a museum dedicated to telling the stories of Irish immigrants of all ages. Starting from the early 500 AD to the Diaspora of today, you’ll be given context and hear stories of their epic tales.
Best Time to Go to EPIC
We highly suggest visiting EPIC during its off-seasons, which are the fall, winter, or early spring. If you’re looking to visit in other seasons, we’d suggest heading there when it first opens on weekdays, as that is when there are fewer people.
Things to Know about EPIC
Address: EPIC is located at The Chq Building, Custom House Quay, North Wall, Dublin 1, Ireland, and is close to other cultural sites, including the Custom House, the Famine Memorial, the Convention Centre Dublin, and the National Wax Museum.
Operating Hours: EPIC is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Parking: There is no parking available at EPIC. We recommend looking for parking at Q-Park IFSC or other nearby car parks.
Contact Information: You can reach the officials at EPIC by calling their mobile number at +353 (0)1 906 0861 or by emailing them at [email protected].
Accessibility at EPIC
Sensory Friendly Evenings: EPIC hosts sensory-friendly evenings periodically for individuals with neurodiversity. These evenings are tailor-made for them to have a wonderful and enjoyable time at the museum.
Deaf Accommodation: Many of EPIC’s exhibits are transcribed, and some have closed captioning available for guests to enjoy. There are also printed copies of all the scripts used in the museum in eight different languages.
Assistance Dogs: Assistance Dogs are welcome at EPIC, provided they have proper documentation.
Wheelchair Accessible: The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, and it also offers accessible restrooms for individuals with mobility impairments. There are also a limited number of wheelchairs at the front desk upon request.
Learning Disability Inclusive: EPIC’s exhibits are designed and modified with clear layouts, featuring easy-to-read signage that can be understood by all.
Carer Tickets: EPIC offers free tickets to carers who accompany paying visitors. You can avail of multiple carer tickets if you contact them via email at [email protected].
Quiet Room: A quiet room is also available for neurodiverse individuals and those with sensory issues.
How to Get to EPIC
Car: It’s quite easy to get to EPIC as it’s accessible through North Wall Quay. It is accessible via several streets, including Commons Street, Talbot Memorial Bridge, North Wall Street, and Sean O’Casey Bridge.
Dublin Bus: Several Dublin Bus routes pass near EPIC. Here are a few of the closest ones, along with their corresponding stops.
| Dublin Bus Route | Bus Stop | Operating Hours |
| Route 14 | Amiens Street Stop | Monday to Friday: • 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday: • 6:00 AM – 11:20 PM Sunday: • 8:30 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route 15 | Amiens Street Stop | Monday to Sunday: • 4:00 AM – 3:30 AM |
| Route 27 | Amiens Street Stop | Monday to Friday: • 5:15 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday: • 5:30 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday: • 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route 27A | Connolly Station Stop | Monday to Friday: • 6:40 AM – 11:20 PM Saturday: • 6:30 AM – 11:20 PM Sunday: • 8:40 AM – 11:20 PM |
| Route 27B | Connolly Station Stop | Monday to Friday: • 6:30 AM – 11:10 PM Saturday: • 6:40 AM – 11:10 PM Sunday: • 8:50 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route 27X | Amiens Street Stop | Monday to Friday: • 7:35 AM – 5:05 PM |
| Route 42 | Connolly Station Stop | Monday to Friday: • 6:25 AM – 11:45 PM Saturday: • 7:30 AM – 11:45 PM Sunday: • 9:10 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route 43 | Connolly Station Stop | Monday to Friday: • 6:15 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday: • 6:55 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday: • :00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route 53 | Connolly Station Stop | Monday to Friday: • 6:10 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday: • 7:00 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday: • 8:20 AM – 11:30 PM |
Bike: You can easily head to EPIC by bike on the same roads mentioned in the Car section. However, please note that there is no bike parking at the museum, and you will need to look for parking elsewhere, typically at car parks.
Luas Tram System: The Luas is the easiest way to get to EPIC if you’re near one of its stops, as there is a Luas stop just in front of the museum called George’s Dock Stop.
Taxi: EPIC is located near Dublin City Centre and is quite popular among tourists and locals, so you shouldn’t have difficulty heading there by taxi. This will be an expensive option, especially if you’re coming from outside the Dublin City Centre.
How Much Is A Ticket To EPIC
EPIC offers two ways to purchase a general admission ticket: online or on the day. There is, however, a total of 12 different experiences at EPIC. Below is a table of the ticket prices for both options, along with the 12 different experiences.
| EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum | ||
| Ticket Type | Classic Guided Tour | Premium Guided Tour |
| Adult | €21 | €23 |
| Teenager | €14.50 | €15.50 |
| Child | €10.50 | €11.50 |
| Infant | FREE | FREE |
| Senior | €19 | €21 |
| Student | €18.50 | €20.50 |
| 1 + 1 Family Pass (1 Adult & 1 Child) | €28 | €30 |
| 2 + 1 Family Pass (2 Adult & 1 Child) | €45 | €48 |
| 2 + 2 Family Pass (2 Adult & 2 Child) | €53 | €56 |
| Combo Tickets With Jeanie Johnston | Adult – €32Child – €17 | N/A |
| EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum | |
| Experience Type | Ticket Price (Adult) |
| Genealogy Consultation | €129 |
| Research Packages | €970 |
| Exclusive Private Tour | €225 For 2 People |
| Super Saver | €13.50 |
| Docklands Tour, EPIC, and Jeanie Johnston | €80 |
| Themed Daily Guided Tour | €21 |
| Early Bird | €23 |
| 24-hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour | €43 |
| EPIC + Midday Munchies | €44.50 |
| EPIC + Weekend Brunch Treats | €44.50 |
| EPIC + Evening “Set Tapas” | €65 |
| EPIC + Urban Beer Paddle | €35 |
Types of Experiences At EPIC
EPIC offers a total of 14 different experiences. These experiences range from Self-Guided Tours to cool additions to the basic EPIC tour.
Self-Guided Tour
| Self-Guided Tour | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
The Self-Guided Tour is the main tour that you’ll be experiencing at EPIC. In this tour, you’ll be given a chance to explore 20 interactive galleries that reveal stories of real people and their reasons for emigration.
This tour, and other experiences that include this tour, offer a free return visit within 10 days after you’ve used your ticket for the first time.
EPIC + Jeanie Johnston
| EPIC + Jeanie Johnston | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
The EPIC +– Jeanie Johnston tour offers the same Self-Guided tour for those who are visiting EPIC, but as an additional, you’ll also be given a chance to explore on a guided tour the Jeanie Johnston Famine ship, which explores the horrors of the Great Famine.
Genealogy Consultation
| Genealogy Consultation | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 50 Minutes |
The Genealogy Consultation is a guide that will help you in learning more about your Irish roots. This is a one-on-one session with an expert genealogist who shares with you the steps you’ll need into learning about your Irish Heritage.
This doesn’t include research into your genealogy, as that is a separate experience at EPIC.
Research Packages
| Research Packages | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Friday |
| Time Slots: | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
The research packages provide a comprehensive exploration of your genealogy, offering valuable insights into your family tree. In this experience, they will use a wide variety of public domain records to trace your Irish roots as early as they’re able to find.
Exclusive Private Tour
| Exclusive Private Tour | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
The exclusive private tour is an experience for two people that allows you to explore the 20 interactive galleries at EPIC with a professional tour guide rather than on your own.
They will share interesting insights into the entire collection that you simply can’t get on your own.
Super Saver
| Super Saver | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 5:30 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 30 Minutes |
The Super Saver is essentially a self-guided tour, but at a significantly lower price. The main difference is that you’ll only be allowed to explore the entire exhibit for 30 minutes on a cheaper ticket, which can only be availed of once it’s 5:30 PM.
Docklands Tour, EPIC, and Jeanie Johnston
| Docklands Tour, EPIC, and Jeanie Johnston | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 2:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 3 Hours |
This tour is an all-inclusive, and far more affordable option, for those looking to visit Docklands, EPIC, and the Jeanie Johnston. This entire tour is guided by expert tour guides and is perfect for those who want to make the most out of their visit to the area.
Themed Daily Guided Tour
| Themed Daily Guided Tour | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 1:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
The Themed Daily Guided Tour is divided into three separate tours that explore different aspects of Irish heritage, focusing on three unique subjects: Emigration, Music, and Sports. These tours rotate every few months.
Early Bird
| Early Bird | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 9:00 AM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
The early bird ticket is for those who want to explore EPIC in the early hours of the morning. This ticket grants you a 1-hour early entrance to the exhibit and is ideal for those who want to explore the museum with fewer crowds.
24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
| 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
This is a unique collaboration between Do Dublin and EPIC, featuring the Do Dublin Hop-on Hop-off City tour in conjunction with the EPIC Self-Guided Tour. This is a perfect ticket for those who want to explore both EPIC and Dublin on one of these buses.
EPIC + Midday Munchies
| EPIC + Midday Munchies | |
| Days Available: | Tuesday to Friday |
| Time Slots: | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
This unique collaboration between EPIC and Urban Brewing allows you to explore the EPIC museum without worrying about where to eat after your visit. Before or after your tour, you’ll be given a hearty Irish lunch at 1:00 PM at Urban Brewing.
EPIC + Weekend Brunch Treats
| EPIC + Weekend Brunch Treats | |
| Days Available: | Saturday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
This experience is similar to the previous one, but it’s only available on weekends. This features an entirely different menu for you to choose from and is perfect for those who want a tasty brunch after visiting EPIC.
EPIC + Evening “Set Tapas”
| EPIC + Evening “Set Tapas” | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
Available on Tuesdays to Saturdays, this is perfect for those who want to have a lovely dinner rather than a quick lunch. You’ll be heading to Urban Brewing’s after your stay, and you’ll experience a wonderful Tapas selection that is paired with tea or coffee.
EPIC + Urban Beer Paddle
| EPIC + Urban Beer Paddle | |
| Days Available: | Tuesday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
Are you looking to enjoy a quick drink before or after your visit to EPIC? Urban Brewing has you covered as they offer a beer paddle of 4 different beers for you to enjoy at your leisure.
Where to Stay When Going to EPIC
EPIC is located near Dublin City Centre; as such, there are several good hotels and hostels for you to stay at during your visit. Here are some places that we’d highly recommend.
Hilton Garden Inn
Media Credit: Hilton Garden Inn Instagram
Website: https://www.hilton.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hgidublin
Address: Custom House Quay, North Wall, Dublin 1, D01 V9X5, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 854 1500
Price Range: Starts at €157
The Hilton Garden Inn is perfect for world travellers who’ve already experienced the luxury and comfort of Hilton Hotels. It offers the same amenities as any Hilton Hotel, with the added benefit that it’s a short walk to the museum.
On-site, you’ll find the locally-focused Honey Fitz Restaurant & Bar, a 24-hour fitness centre, and a handy Pavilion Pantry convenience shop.
The Mayson Dublin
Media Credit: The Mayson Dublin Instagram
Website: https://themayson.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themaysondublin
Address: 82 N Wall Quay, North Wall, Dublin, D01 XR83, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 245 7900
Price Range: Starts at €148
The Mayson has that rustic and antique interior that you simply can’t find anywhere else. It’s a picturesque boutique hotel that is perfect for those looking for incredible accommodation at an affordable price.
It is a short walk from EPIC, or you can ride one of the buses that traverse North Wall Quay.
Abbey Court Hostel
Media Credit: Abbey Court Hostel Instagram
Website: https://www.abbey-court.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbeycourthostel
Address: 29 Bachelors Walk, North City, Dublin, D01 AX90, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 878 0700
Price Range: Starts at €19
Abbey Court is beloved by backpackers as it’s a budget-friendly hostel with excellent facilities that is perfect for those looking to meet fellow travellers. They also offer a complimentary breakfast and feature a bar and restaurant on-site.
Its interior is adorned with bold graffiti, muralks, and vivid artwork that contrast with its traditional Victorian-style bar (Bobby’s Bar).
LATROUPE Jacobs Inn
Media Credit: LATROUPE Jacobs Inn Instagram
Website: https://www.latroupe.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoinLatroupe/
Address: 21-28 Talbot Pl, Mountjoy, Dublin 1, D01 W5P8, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 855 5660
Price Range: Starts at €23.66
Latroupe is perfect for those who want to stay in Dublin City Centre. While it’s a hostel, they offer some of the best private rooms at this price point, and the decor and ambience of the place are stunning.
Add in the nightly events, a fun on-site bar, and a central location right beside Connolly Station and the bus hub, and it’s kind of like a backpacker’s dream spot.
The Spencer Hotel
Media Credit: The Spencer Hotel Instagram
Website: https://www.thespencerhotel.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSpencerHotelDublin
Address: Excise Walk, International Financial Services Centre, Dublin 1, D01 X4C9, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 433 8800
Price Range: Starts at €189
The Spencer is situated on the banks of the River Liffey and is ideal for those seeking a classic hotel experience. With its wonderful views and incredible service, it’s one of the most comfortable places to stay in Dublin and is conveniently located near the city’s most popular tourist spots.
The Spencer Hotel is a short walk from EPIC, located just across the street from the museum.
Tips When Visiting EPIC
While some of the topics discussed in the various experiences at EPIC may be harrowing, we still want you to have a fun and memorable time when visiting. Here are some tips we’ve gathered to make your experience even better.
Always Go for the Upgraded Tour
There’s a wide variety of upgraded tours that are available at EPIC, and you’d be missing out on a lot if you don’t avail one. If you’re looking for the one with the most things to do, we’d suggest the EPIC, Docklands, and Jeanie Johnston tour.
Make the Most of Your Free Visit
If you head out at a bad time on your first purchase of the ticket, and you’re still in Dublin for a little while longer. We suggest that you visit the museum again for your free tour, as you can make the most of your visit with that choice.
Book a Dublin Tour
If you’re looking for a hassle-free trip around Dublin, we’d highly suggest that you book a Do Dublin Tour. It’s one of the best ways to explore Dublin and is perfect for those who want to simply visit the city without worrying about public transport.
Avail Their Audio Guides
For a Self-Guided Tour, EPIC offers audio guides to its guests, perfect for those who want to explore the museum on a budget. We’d suggest pairing this with the Super Saver tour to make the most out of your visit to EPIC.