The Jeanie Johnstonsailed into Dublin Bay and up the River Liffey this morning to take residence in Dublin's Docklands for the Christmas holidays.
Following its successful tour of the east coast of the United States and Canada, the vessel, a replica of the famous 19th century sailing barque built in Quebec in 1847, arrived back in Ireland on November 5th to a tumultuous welcome in Tralee.
Originally she was a cargo/passenger vessel used to transport timber and grain from North America to Ireland and took Kerry emigrants fleeing the Famine for the return journeys to America.
She made 16 passages between 1848 and 1858 and the promoters say, unlike many of the "coffin ships" that set sail during that time, a passenger was never lost to disease or the sea.
The 148-foot, square rigged barque, is 26 feet wide and carries three oak masts with four square sails and single topsails.
The construction cost of the ship has run to €13.6 million - four times the projected the amount.
Kerry County Council, which oversaw the project, earlier this year, were ordered explain to a Government-appointed inquiry how costs were originally estimated at €2 million.
After a series of funding problems and High Court cases that threatened to halt the construction of the vessel, last-minute finance was found to complete the project. Work began in 1998 and was to due for completion by 2000 but the Jeanie Johnstonwas only declared seaworthy last year.
She will be open to the public every day from November 29th to 6th January, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (excluding Christmas week 22nd to 26th December). Entry fee is €5 with accompanied children under 10 free. The ship is docked on the North Quays opposite the Clarion Hotel, half way down to the Point Depot.