Name Dunbrody Launched 11 February 2001 Weight 458 tons Beam 8.5 m | Draft 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in) Length 54 m Displacement 458,000 kg Builder New Ross Drydock | |
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Sail plan Barque, sail area 940 m (10,100 sq ft) | ||
The Dunbrody is a three-masted barque built in New Ross in 2001 by New Ross Drydock for the Dunbrody Project, with the financial assistance of the J. F. Kennedy Trust. The final fit-out including production of main deck, bulwark, deckhouse, interior, electrics and plumbing was done by the German company navcon.naval consulting GmbH. The ship was converted to a Lloyd´s Register approved passenger sailing vessel in 2006 by the German company Neptun Peenemuende GmbH. For this two main engines and a bowthruster are added. Also watertight bulkheads and a modern navigation system.The ship sailed to England two times in the following years.
The Dunbrody is a full-scale seagoing replica of the Dunbrody, launched in 1845 and wrecked in 1875.
Since May 2001 the replica Dunbrody has been open to visitors at the quayside in New Ross. Visitors can see an interactive exhibition and experience life on board an emigrant ship. There is also a large database, compiled in collaboration with the Balch Institute, of emigrants who sailed from England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales in the 19th century.
The hull was built with wood planking on wooden frames. The main deck was built from wooden planking on wooden deck beams. The rigging was done in 2001 with wooden masts, topmasts and spars with steel fittings. In 2006 the lower masts are changed to steel masts. Topmasts and spars remain the same.
In 2010 the engines and electronics are dismounted and the ship is now permanently moored alongside in New Ross.