THE extraordinary stories of two Kildare men have been selected to feature in a new digital museum in Dublin’s Docklands.
Epic Ireland have opened a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to Irish people who live outside of Ireland, the Irish diaspora, and the amazing lives they had.
Kildare-born George Barrington was one of London’s most notorious pickpockets before being arrested and deported to Sydney. Here he was pardoned and appointed Chief Constable.
The museum also features fellow Kildare man Sir Charles Wogan, who fought in the 1715 Rising and was made a Roman Senator by Pope Clement XI.
The museum has already been described by trip adviser as ‘an inspiring and moving…must-see visitor experience.’
Just opened in the vaults of The chq Building in the heart of Dublin’s docklands and an eight- minute walk from O’Connell Bridge, Epic Ireland is a museum re-imagined.
“It brings together real-life accounts of some of the most remarkable tales of Irish men and women’s sacrifice, endurance, adventure and discovery the world has ever known and state-of-the-art high-tech installations to create an unforgettable experience for all ages,” said museum director Fiona Ross.
“The inclusion of these two extraordinary characters from County Kildare is testament to the fact that every single family, across every county in Ireland, has been touched by emigration. For the first time, Epic Ireland tells the stories of these ordinary people who travelled extraordinary journeys to change their destiny and the destiny of others.
“Having opened its doors to the public just under two months ago, Epic Ireland is fast becoming one of the most popular summer visitor attractions for families from around Ireland and from abroad.”
As well as the lesser-know stories, the museum also features fabulous accounts of the more well-known Irish diaspora like Hollywood stars Grace Kelly, Liam Neeson and Michael Fassbender; President John F. Kennedy; much loved broadcasters like Terry Wogan, Val Doonican and Dermot O’Leary; as well as celebrated Irish designers like Orla Kiely, Eileen Gray and Philip Tracy.
There are lots of surprise inclusions too, like Barbadian songstress Rihanna, whose Irish roots can be traced back to the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland.
The museum is made up of 20 high tech, vaulted galleries. Highlights include the Changing the Game Gallery which features a fun, interactive table where people can delve into the various sports played by Irish athletes abroad; the Whispering Library with its magical, giant interactive and talking books and the Rogues Gallery, where visitors get up close and personal with Ireland’s more infamous and notorious diaspora. Visitors can even test their knowledge on some of Ireland’s most notorious criminals in a Who Dunnit interactive game.
As part of the experience, visitors can also search for their ancestors and discover their own unique family story through The Irish Family History Centre operated by Irish geneology and History experts, Eneclann.
Tickets to Epic Ireland cost €16 for adults and €8 for children. A family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) costs €40. Senior and student discounts apply.
