16/04/2026
The 7-mile crossing. ⛴️
Before boarding the Jeanie Johnston, Irish emigrants faced another precarious journey.
By the mid-19th century, silting meant that large vessels like the Jeanie Johnston could rarely reach Blennerville, then the port of Tralee.
Instead, ships anchored at Fenit, around seven miles away, in the shelter of the Samphire Islands.
With no pier yet built at Fenit, passengers and cargo were transported across the bay in smaller boats known as lighters, adding more uncertainty to an already life changing voyage.
It’s a powerful reminder that emigration wasn’t just about crossing the ocean. It began long before departure.
👉 Want to experience this history for yourself? Visit the Jeanie Johnston and step into the stories of those who made the journey.
