We are proud to announce that EPIC has once again been voted Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the annual World Travel Awards, Europe’s most prestigious honours programme in travel and tourism. Over the course of the year tourism consumers, industry professionals and the international media have been voting in record numbers for their favourite travel brands and products and we are delighted to be recognised amongst them. This firmly reinforces our status as a must visit destination in Ireland.
In 2020 we have welcomed thousands of people virtually. Our series of workshops, webinars, virtual tours, and history pack downloads aimed at younger Irish history enthusiasts have been extremely popular and very well received. We have introduced services for those self isolating, for those who wish to explore their Irish heritage and for those who wish to honour their Irish ancestors. We continue to research and innovate to be deserving of our status of a leading, world class institution.
Our Director and CEO, Patrick Greene, has said:
“We are immensely proud to receive this recognition two years running, especially against the backdrop of a challenging year. In the same spirit that more people are “shopping local”, we hope that Irish people will have even more reason to experience a two-time winner tourist attraction on their own doorstep, and that we’ll be a must-see destination for overseas visitors again soon”.
Our founder Neville Isdell has said:
“I am absolutely thrilled, amazed and grateful at the fact that EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum has won this most prestigious award for a second time. It is an endorsement of the goal that we set out to achieve – to create something that was absolutely world class. It recognizes and celebrates the significant global impact of the Irish diaspora. This win is not just about the content of the Museum, bringing history together with modernity, but the people behind it. This was a great team effort and is a credit to everyone.“
President of Ireland / Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D. Higgins said:
“My congratulations to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum on being awarded the title of Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction. This award is public recognition for its role in highlighting Ireland’s emigrant experiences, its causes and consequences, and its relevance to the stories of those who are, today, escaping marginalisation, poverty and conflict. As a society, we are deeply grateful to EPIC for keeping the memory of our shared past alive, and as President of Ireland I want to congratulate all those who have worked so hard to create the museum that so richly deserves this international accolade.”
We are dedicating this win to Irish people everywhere, particularly those who have been volunteering and helping in their communities throughout 2020. Their experiences and stories mirror so many of those we feature throughout EPIC. It is continually gratifying for us that so much of the feedback we receive from our visitors through reviews is that they feel inspired and proud to be Irish. We have felt the same this year about those all around the world.
Colm Brophy TD, Minister of State for Overseas Development and Diaspora has sent his congratulations:
Being the first tourist attraction to win this award back-to-back, we look forward to welcoming people back once restrictions lift. We are also delighted that this gives a great win for the entire Irish travel industry, so severely impacted by Covid-19.
Congratulating EPIC, Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said:
“Congratulations to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum on being named Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction for the second year in a row. In what has been a devastating year for travel and tourism, this is some really good news for Irish tourism. It is a truly well-deserved accolade. Since opening its doors in 2016, EPIC has established itself as an important attraction on the itineraries of international visitors to Dublin. This latest award will give Tourism Ireland another wonderful platform to continue to highlight Dublin and Ireland around the world as a world-class destination. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the team at EPIC in 2021 and beyond, to welcome many more overseas visitors when the time is right, coming to experience all that EPIC and our great city of Dublin have to offer.”
Liz Halpin, Head of Dublin Region at Failte Ireland has said
“Fáilte Ireland is delighted that EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum has retained its title as Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the prestigious World Travel Awards for the second year running. EPIC offers a unique and immersive insight into the fascinating story of Irish emigration and this award showcases how important interactive, accessible visitor experiences are to the modern tourist.”
We also send our congratulations to our colleagues and neighbours in other World Travel Awards winning venues:
The Convention Centre Dublin, winners of Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre for the fourth year in a row
Jameson Distillery, Bow Street, winners of Europe’s Leading Distillery Tour for the third year in a row
Thank you again to everyone who has voted for us. Míle buíochas as ucht bhur vótaí. Buíochas as ucth cuairt a thabhairt orainn agus as ucht bhur dea-mhéin. Is cúis bhróid dúinn bhur gcid tacaíocht agus tá muid ag tnúth le fáilte a chur romhaibh sar i bhfad.