149. The town of New Ross and the Dunbrody famine ship experience, Co. Wexford, Ireland

and Visit New Ross official websites

[Author photographer © Dr Phil Brown PhD plus AI, page updated June 19th 2026]

On the right is The "Dunbrody", a replica of SS Dunbrody, a famine sailing ship that carried thousands of Irish immigrants to America, is moored on the River Barrow at New Ross, Co. Wexford.

Notes on the town of New Ross

New Ross (Ros Mhic Thriúin) is one of Ireland’s most historic Norman-founded towns, dramatically positioned on the River Barrow and rich in medieval, religious, mercantile, and emigrant history. Below is a structured, fully grounded guide to its history, notable buildings, people, and modern character — with only a brief mention of the Dunbrody Famine Ship, as requested.

Origins & Early Development of New Ross

Early Christian beginnings (6th century) in New Ross

The earliest known settlement was a 6th‑century monastery founded by St Abban at what is now Irishtown.
The name Ros Mhic Treoin (“Wood of the Son of Treoin”) reflects this early monastic landscape.

Norman foundation (12th–13th century) of New Ross

The area belonged to Dermot McMurrough, King of Leinster, whose lands passed to the Normans.
William Marshal and Isabel de Clare arrived in the early 13th century and deliberately founded a new port town on the Barrow.
The Chronicles of Ross record that in 1189, Isabel began “building a lovely city on the banks of the Barrow.”
A bridge built by Marshal gave the town its name: New Ross (“the town of the new bridge”).
The town received a Royal Charter c.1279.

Looking down to Quay Street from Mary Street

Medieval prosperity in New Ross

By the late 13th century, New Ross was one of Ireland’s busiest ports, trading with England, Wales, and continental Europe.
The town was walled by 1269 and strategically important due to its inland waterway access to Dublin via the Barrow and Grand Canal.

The quayside and a views from the Hanrahan Bridge towards the Dunbrody

Conflict, Decline & Renewal of New Ross

Religious and political upheaval in New Ross

A riot involving the Crutched Friars led to a papal interdict in the late 13th century.
The town was contested during the 1640s Confederate Wars and later taken by Cromwell in 1649, after cannon fire at the town walls.

18th–19th century development of New Ross

New Ross remained a significant port with breweries, salmon fisheries, and barge construction.
Emigration through the port intensified during the 19th century, especially the 1840s.

Mary Street, looking down from Upper Mary Street

Monument to our Heroic Ancestors who fought and fell in the Battle of Ross June 5th 1798 from a grateful posterity.

Notable Buildings & Historic Sites in New Ross

St Mary’s Church (1210)

Built by William Marshal and Isabel de Clare.
One of the most important medieval churches in Ireland, overlooking the town and river.

The Tholsel (Town Hall)

A landmark civic building in the town centre, historically used for trade, tolls, and governance.

Town Walls & Gates

New Ross was a walled town; the Three Bullet Gate is a surviving historic gateway and a symbol of the 1798 Rebellion.

SS Michael & Mary (1902)

The main Roman Catholic parish church, completed in 1902.

Augustinian Church (1835)

A major 19th‑century religious building.

St Mary’s Abbey (Church of Ireland)

A medieval monastic site dating to 1210.

Notable People Connected to New Ross

William Marshal & Isabel de Clare

Founders of the medieval town; Marshal is often called “the greatest knight”.

The Kennedy Family

The nearby village of Dunganstown is the ancestral home of President John F. Kennedy.
His great‑grandfather emigrated from New Ross in the 1840s.

The Town on the River Barrow

New Ross stands on a steep hill overlooking the River Barrow, just below its junction with the River Nore.
Its location made it one of medieval Ireland’s most important ports, and it still handles trade today.
The Barrow–Nore–Suir system (“Three Sisters”) defines the town’s geography and history.

Cafés, Restaurants & Food Culture in New Ross

(Specific venues are not listed in the search results, so this section synthesises verified general statements.)

New Ross is described as “full of interesting buildings, restaurants, pubs and cafés”.
The town centre and quayside host a mix of modern cafés, bakeries, and casual dining spots.
The Captain’s Table (located at the Dunbrody centre) is briefly noted here only because it appears in sources; it offers river‑view dining.

The Cracked Teapot cafe in Quay Street opposite the street art murals in Conduit Lane

Pubs & Nightlife in New Ross

New Ross has lively bars with music and a warm welcome, according to tourism descriptions.
Traditional pubs cluster around the town centre, especially near the Tholsel and the quays.
(No specific pub names appear in the search results, so only verified general statements are included.)

Street art murals on the walls of buildings in Conduit Lane.

Shops & Local Businesses in New Ross

The town features boutiques, Irish fashion shops, and independent retailers.
Craft, heritage, and specialty stores reflect its Ancient East identity.

Some of the street art murals in Conduit Lane, New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland

Some of the street art murals in Conduit Lane

New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland

Tourism & Cultural Identity of New Ross

New Ross is central to Ireland’s Ancient East, with layers of history from early Christian to Norman to modern times.
Walking tours (e.g., by historian Myles Courtney) highlight medieval streets, legends, rebellions, and the Kennedy connection.

The Dunbrody replica Famine Ship museum

A major quayside attraction featuring a replica 1840s emigrant vessel and museum.
See extra notes on the Dunbrody

Summary of the history of New Ross

New Ross is a medieval Norman port town with:

Deep roots in 6th‑century monastic settlement
A 13th‑century planned town founded by William Marshal & Isabel de Clare
Major medieval and early‑modern port activity
Rich architecture: St Mary’s Church, Tholsel, town walls, gates
Strong cultural links to the Kennedy family
A lively modern town with restaurants, cafés, pubs, boutiques, and riverside views
A strategic position on the River Barrow, shaping its past and present

Notes on the Dunbrody replica famine ship

The in New Ross is one of Ireland’s most vivid, immersive windows into the human story of the Great Famine and the mass emigration that reshaped Ireland and North America. It combines a meticulously built replica 1840s emigrant vessel, costumed interpretation, and powerful storytelling to bring the experience of ordinary people — and the captains who carried them — to life.

Below is a deep, structured, story‑rich account grounded entirely in the sourced material. Citations appear throughout.

Profile of the Dunbrody moored on The Quay

What the Dunbrody Is

The Dunbrody is an authentic reproduction of an 1840s emigrant ship, moored on the quayside of New Ross. It is a premier heritage attraction in the southeast, offering a world‑class interpretation of the famine emigrant experience.

The visitor experience includes:

Guided tours
Costumed performers playing real emigrants
Themed exhibitions
Irish America Hall of Fame
These combine to show the bravery and fortitude of those who left Ireland during the Great Hunger.

The Original Dunbrody (1845)

The real Dunbrody was built in Quebec in 1845, commissioned by William Graves & Son, a merchant family from New Ross. She was one of eight sister ships built by master shipwright Thomas Hamilton Oliver, himself an Irish emigrant from Co. Derry.

She was designed as a cargo vessel, carrying:

Timber from Canada
Cotton from the southern U.S.
Guano from Peru

But the outbreak of the Great Famine in 1845 changed everything. With starvation spreading and the potato crop failing, merchants refitted cargo ships with bunks to meet the overwhelming demand for passage to North America.

Advert for passage to Quebec Canada on the Dunbrody, April, 1847

Emigration from New Ross & Other Irish Ports via the Dunbrody

Between 1845 and 1851, the Dunbrody carried thousands of emigrants to Quebec and New York.

She typically carried 160–300 passengers, and in 1847 she carried 313 people — many of them tenant farmers from Wicklow and Laois.

Ticket prices

Cabin passengers: £5–£8
Steerage passengers: £3–£4
For context, a farm labourer earned about £1 per month, making even steerage a major sacrifice.

The wider story

By 1852, 1.5 million Irish people had emigrated, many through ports like New Ross, Cork, Limerick, and Sligo. The Dunbrody represents this mass movement — a tide of humanity fleeing hunger, poverty, and eviction.

The steering wheel (helm) of the Dunbrody replica famine ship museum experience, New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland the ship's bell of the Dunbrody replica famine ship museum experience, New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland

The steering wheel (helm) and ships bell of the Dunbrody

The Captains: Baldwin & Williams — “Humane Captains” of the Dunbrody

The Dunbrody’s reputation stands out because of her exceptionally low mortality rate, rare among famine‑era emigrant ships. This was due to the humane leadership of:

Captain John Baldwin (1845–1848)
Captain John W. Williams (his successor)

Passengers wrote home praising their care. This is remarkable given the horrors described at the Grosse Île quarantine station in Quebec, where dozens of corpses were thrown overboard daily from other ships.

Captain Baldwin wrote in 1847:

“Doctor Douglas is nearly single‑handed… everyday, dozens of corpses are thrown overboard from many ships… God help them!”

The Dunbrody was detained several times at Grosse Île, but very few of her passengers died, a testament to the captains’ discipline, hygiene, and humanity.

The stern of the Dunbrody, the ship was registered at New Ross

Life Onboard: The Passengers’ Story

The Dunbrody’s exhibitions recreate the emotional and physical reality of the voyage:

Steerage passengers

Slept in cramped bunks
Cooked their own food
Endured damp, darkness, and disease
Shared limited fresh water

Cabin passengers

Received better food and services
Represented a small minority

The voyage

The ship’s interpretive journey follows three stages:

Departure from the Graves ticket office on the quays
The Voyage across the Atlantic
Arrival in the New World (Savannah, Georgia)

Costumed performers portray real emigrants, telling stories of fear, hope, hunger, and resilience.

Life and accommodation in the cabins of the Dunbrody replica famine ship museum experience, New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland

Life and accommodation in the cabins of the Dunbrody

Arrival & the Irish America Hall of Fame

At the end of the tour, visitors enter the Irish America Hall of Fame, which honours the contributions of Irish emigrants and their descendants to U.S. history.

This includes stories of:

Generations of Irish labourers
Irish involvement in U.S. politics, business, and culture
The long struggle for acceptance in American society

The Emigrant Flame

Outside the ship burns the Emigrant Flame, lit from the eternal flame at President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite in Arlington. It honours all Irish emigrants.

Visitor Experience Today

The Dunbrody Visitor Centre includes:

The Captain’s Table Restaurant, overlooking the River Barrow, serving coffee, scones, and light meals
A heritage shop with books and Irish crafts
Seasonal events (e.g., Santa Wonderland)

The ship is wheelchair accessible, pet‑friendly, and has parking available.

Why It Matters to the Curious Visitor

For anyone exploring the social history of New Ross, the Dunbrody offers:

A human‑centred narrative of famine and migration
A rare positive story of humane captains in a brutal era
A deep connection to the Kennedy family and Irish‑American identity
A powerful emotional experience that complements the town’s medieval and Norman heritage

It is not just a museum — it is a storytelling vessel, carrying the memory of millions who crossed the Atlantic in search of survival and dignity.



	Views from the Dunbrody experience museum. The Captain's Table cafe overlooks 'The Quay' where the Dunbrody is permanently moored.

docspics images photos of New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland © Phil Brown Tourist information on New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, Walks near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, Having holidays near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, Ireland, Top tourist attractions near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, luxury hotels near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, self-catering holiday cottages near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, airbnb air B and B near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, good B&B near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, friendly pubs near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, cafes near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, eating out in fine restaurants near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, weekend breaks near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, wining & dining weekends near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, walking holidays around New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, touring coach tours including New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, pretty villages near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, historic towns and pretty village near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, museums near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, local art galleries near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, guided walks from New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, excellent fell hill walking around New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, rambling near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, exploring the landscape near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, good places to eat near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, tourist attractions near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, tourist information for places near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, good places for wining and dining near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, good walks near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, properties for sale near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, renting a flat or house near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, property for rent near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, houses for sale near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, lettings near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, places to rent near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, holiday cottage accommodation near New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, docspics images photos of the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum Ireland © Phil Brown Tourist information on the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, Things to do in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, What to see in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, guided walks in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, weekend breaks in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum holidays in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, Top tourist attractions in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, luxury hotels in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, self-catering holiday cottages in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, airbnb air B and B in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, good B&B in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, friendly pubs in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, cafes in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, eating out in fine restaurants in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, bargain holiday breaks in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, wining & dining weekends in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, touring coach tours visiting the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, pretty areas in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, historic buildings in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, visiting museums in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, local art galleries in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, guided walks in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, history of the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, architecture of the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, historic houses in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, historic churches in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, information centre in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, heritage places in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, good places to eat in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, top tourist attractions in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, tourist information for things to do and see in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, good places to eat out in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, good places to walk to in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, tourist attractions properties for sale in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, renting a flat of house in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, property for rent in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, houses for sale in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, lettings in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, places to rent in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum, holiday cottage accommodation in the Dunbrody replica famine ship & museum

All My Irish Scenes and Notes

Notes on the town of New Ross

Notes on the Dunbrody replica famine ship

Email: chem55555@hotmail.com

Murrisk Abbey and Famine ship Memorial

Dunbrody Famine Ship and Irish Emigrant Experience

and Visit New Ross official websites



Enter Irish place, heritage site, feature, walk, town, village, city, museum, historic building, mountain, island, walk, anything of interest in Ireland!