Irish 'famine ship' reaches Madeira

The Jeanie Johnston, a nostalgic replica of a 19th century “famine ship” making its way slowly from Ireland to America, has docked at the Portuguese island of Madeira, her wave-battered sailors reported.

The ship’s 40-strong crew, which includes trainee sailors from both Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland, reported having an unexpectedly rough time after leaving their base in south-west Ireland on February 16.