Thousands flock to Famine Ship launch

Thousands of people have attended the breakfast time launch of the replica famine ship Dunbrody in New Ross.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former US Ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith have attended the ceremony.

The Dunbrody is a replica of a 19th Century emigrant ship that sailed between the Wexford port and New York.

From May the ship will be moored at the quayside in New Ross and it is expected to become the focal point of tourism in the region.

Already the construction of the ship in a local boat yard has attracted 100,000 visitors.

The JFK Trust and the Department of the Marine both made substantial investments in the project.