The Dunbrody is a replica of the original Dunbrody - which was built in Quebec in 1845 as a cargo ship - but when the Irish Famine [ Holocust ] happened was used as a ship to transport the Irish to Nort America - to Canada [ Quebec ] first - from where they went to USA mainly.The replica was built in New Ross , conty wexford - and launched 12 years ago by then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Jean Kenneddy Smith . The Irish famine 1845 - 1850 occured not becuase the potato crop - there was plent other food produced by the Irish. Howeevr becuase the Irish were tenant farmers - the food was owned by English landlords - many of whom were absentee landlords . Although Ireland was a rich agricultural land with abundant crops in wheat and oats and lush pastureland where herds of cattle, sheep, and pigs were raised, all these belonged to the English landlords , so the Irish who raised them were forbidden to touch them on penalty of death. English soldiers even posted armed guards around huge caches of crops and herds in villages to prevent the starving, begging inhabitants from "stealing.". During this Holocust - Ireland was only country to export food thanks to the English landlords - food that was badly needed to feed the starving Irish . There were many reasons put forward by them to explain the great famine during the 1840’s. The shortage of food was one. This was a myth. During the famine years there was plenty of food in Ireland enough to feed double its population. Yes the potato failed but all other crops thrived. Under the system at the time Irish food was exported mainly to English markets but from they're found its way to many parts of the world. It puzzled many to hear there was famine in a land that had so much food to export .In normal countries it was usual to export food only after its population was fed. This was not the case in Ireland; during the period her food was taken away against the wishes of her people, usually at gunpoint and escorted to the ports under british military guard. It was then carried away on ships leaving misery and starvation behind.Deaths due to the Holocust amounted to 1.5 million - and another 2 million emigrated on ships like the Dunbrody . These became known as coffin ships - due to the high mortality [ 50% on average ] . This was becsue many were so weak by the time they got to a ship - aslo the conditions abord these ships were appalling .The Dunbrody carried 150 passgers / voyage in 1845 - but over 300 / voyage in 1847 . So should this Holocust be forgotten - its over . Should the Holocust of Jews be forgotten - NO - and neither should this Irish one . There are no film records - but plenty historical records to go on .