Description
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, located in the historic CHQ Building at Custom House Quay, is a fully interactive digital museum that brings the story of Irish emigration to life. It stands out as one of the best things to do with kids in Dublin if you are looking for a high-tech, sensory museum experience that reveals how Irish people shaped the world across science, sport, music, and politics. With 20 themed interactive galleries using state-of-the-art touchscreens and video installations, it completely reimagines the traditional museum tour for younger generations.
Ticket pricing is tailored around flexible options, with standard online general admission prices starting from £11.00 (approximately €11.00) for children and £22.00 (approximately €22.00) for adults. The venue also offers significant discounts for family bundles, plan-ahead bookings, and evening saver slots, ensuring high value for every holiday budget.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that blends deep historical discovery with immersive modern technology, this award-winning attraction is an exceptional choice. Children receive a souvenir passport to stamp as they move through the vault-style rooms, making the journey an interactive treasure hunt from start to finish.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Key Features
- 20 Interactive Galleries: Immersive, high-tech rooms covering topics from famine and war to literature, science, and global culture.
- Souvenir Passport Stamping: An engaging physical passport given to every child to collect unique ink stamps across the exhibition vaults.
- New for 2026 Exhibition: Features the landmark multimedia exhibition "Common Ground: Ireland and the EU" running from July to December 2026.
- On-Site Genealogy Centre: Access to expert ancestry consultations at the renowned Irish Family History Centre located within the complex.
- Audio-Guided Support: High-quality digital audio guides available via the Smartify platform to enhance self-guided family trails.
Detailed Highlights
- The Passport Stamping Vaults: Right at the beginning of the journey, children are given a blank, custom souvenir booklet designed like an authentic passport. Each of the 20 galleries features a mechanical stamping station where kids can physically clamp down a unique ink emblem to mark their progress. It turns a standard walk through a historical exhibit into an active, rewarding game that keeps younger children highly motivated and focused.
- The New 2026 Common Ground Exhibition: Launched to celebrate Ireland's EU presidency, this cutting-edge multimedia installation explores the deep connections between Ireland and mainland Europe. Running until December 2026, the gallery features a custom short film highlighting stories of student travel, worker rights, and linguistic journeys. Older kids and teens can explore how legal and social changes transformed a small island nation into a major continental influencer.
- The Interactive Dance and Music Galleries: This high-energy vault features oversized touchscreens where kids can discover the massive global impact of Irish performers, from traditional footwork to modern pop icons. Children can follow digital footsteps on the floor, listen to diverse musical audio tracks, and see how instruments travelled across oceans. It provides a fantastic, sensory break where children are actively encouraged to dance, jump, and move.
- The Rogues and Trailblazers Digital Displays: An immersive section that highlights the extraordinary stories of Irish scientists, inventors, outlaws, and politicians. Through vibrant touchscreen games and animated videos, kids can meet historical icons who changed the world, such as James Hoban, the man who built the White House. The visual format feels closer to a modern video game than a dusty history book, keeping tech-savvy kids completely engaged.
- The Irish Family History Centre: Nestled inside the complex, this dedicated hub allows families to interact directly with digital databases to uncover their own ancestral roots. Expert genealogists are on hand to guide children through old census records, family trees, and regional files. It is a deeply personal highlight that can instantly connect a child's school history lessons to their own living relatives.
Beyond the Main Attraction
- The Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship: Located just a two-minute walk away on the quayside, this authentic tall ship replica offers a powerful look into life at sea.
- The Famine Memorial: A moving set of lifelike bronze sculptures situated along the custom house wall, providing a tangible connection to the museum's themes.
- The CHQ Building Eateries: The surrounding restored glass structure is home to Urban Brewing and multiple casual food stalls, making it easy to grab family lunch.
0.33 miles
