The Dunbrody Ship Experience
The Dunbrody Ship Experience is a new interpretative treatment, launched in 2024. It invites visitors to step back into 19th-century Ireland, during the Famine. Centered on the story of Amy Murphy, a young girl fleeing the Famine, this immersive exhibition blends history, interactive storytelling, and modern design, engaging visitors from the moment they arrive.
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IDI AWARD 2024 SHORTLIST Exhibition | Short Film Animation
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. I commend all those involved in bringing this important project to life.
Taoiseach Simon Harris TD
Visitors begin their journey by contemplating a rural Irish homestead during the Great Hunger, setting the emotional tone for the story that unfolds. Immediately drawn into the seriousness of the period, they are prompted to consider a difficult question — would they stay or sail? The challenge was to evoke the emotional weight of the Famine, which we achieved through detailed set design, lightbox displays, and haunting audioscapes.
As visitors progress, they find themselves transported to 1840s New Ross, a bustling port town. Here, they encounter the Graves family, key figures in Irish emigration, and experience a fully recreated streetscape, complete with authentic shopfronts and the sounds of horses, carts, and lively conversations. One of our key challenges was blending historical accuracy with visitor interaction, which we solved through the use of CGI characters, tactile props, and interactive stations where visitors can participate—whether by tying a Bowline knot or taking a selfie in period dress.
Video Showcase
Visitors stay with Amy Murphy as her journey proceeds. A short animated film captures the perilous Atlantic crossing, with Amy’s fears and hopes mirrored by the audience’s experience. After the film, visitors are led on a 40-minute guided tour aboard the reconstructed ship, where two living history characters bring the voyage to life. Disembarking, visitors enter a section on quarantine and immigration, where they learn about the trials and opportunities emigrants faced upon arrival in new lands, including where Amy eventually settled.The exhibition concludes with a look at the demise and later reconstruction of the Dunbrody.
Visitors are offered another way to discover Amy Murphy's journey - via a suspenseful audio story in six languages, making the experience accessible. The final elements, including a descendant of Amy Murphy describing her legacy, bring the story full circle. Through a combination of interactive storytelling, multimedia and detailed set design, we succeeded in creating an emotionally rich, educational experience that honours the legacy of Irish emigration.