EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
A Home for the Irish Diaspora
- Programme
- 2014 – 2016
- Scale
- 3,700m²
- Client
- Custom House Quarter LTD
- Locations
- Programme
- 2014 – 2016
- Scale
- 3,700m²
- Client
- Custom House Quarter LTD
The world’s first fully digital museum
EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum is Dublin’s comprehensive account of the Irish Diaspora. Housed in vaults under the grade one listed Custom House Quarter, it is the first museum whose collection is stored entire in the cloud. We were appointed to deliver Epic’s 21 interactive galleries in just 18 months.
EPIC was shortlisted for the European Museum of the Year award in 2018 and was awarded the World Travel Award for Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction three years in a row, from 2019-2022.
Research took us from Canadian religious orders to Mongolian Irish pubs
EPIC’s story is epic by nature, encompassing ten million journeys that explore the roots of 70 million people. The themes we developed for the exhibition reflect the scope of EPIC’s ambition. ‘Belief’, ‘Conflict’, ‘Land’ and ‘Society’ are explored through individuals whose perspectives touch on a collective experience.
The building’s barrel-vaulted chambers, once used to store whiskey, are rich in atmosphere. We responded to the challenge of creating a fully digital experience within the building’s 200-year-old iron structure by designing bespoke digital exhibits tailored to work within this fragile framework. Sensitive spatial interventions host the complex multimedia displays, combining the historic fabric with contemporary energy.
Image: EPIC Ireland
The digital experience extends far beyond the vaults’ walls
‘Diaspora Today’ brings together social media posts, emails and blogs gathered from Irish people across the globe. These present-day voices anchor the story in the present and resonate strongly with international and Irish visitors alike. EPIC is one of the most visited attractions in Ireland today, with over 350,000 visitors in 2023.
Partner
Elbow Productions
Partner
Iso Design
Partner
7six7
A unique and immersive insight into the fascinating story of Irish emigration.
Liz Halpin, Head of Dublin Region at Failte Ireland
Image: EPIC Ireland
Shortlisted
European Museum of the Year 2018
Winner
Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction, World Travel Awards 2019
Winner
Best Entrepreneurial Tourism Innovation Award, Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2019
