Address
Kilmainham Gaol
Inchicore Road,
Kilmainham,
Dublin 8, Ireland
Support
Phone: +353 1 4535984
Email: kilmainhamgaol@opw.ie
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About Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol, a former convict prison in the outskirts of Dublin city, symbolizes the defining moments in history, for the Irish independence from the British. Built in the 18th century, the Gaol is a major landmark, and a popular tourist destination, during summer in Ireland. Voted by TripAdvisor for Travelers Choice Awards, the Victorian styled Gaol is one of the biggest and well-maintained detention dungeon in Europe.
In 1796, the Gaol opened to house prisoners, rebels and ordinary people during the Irish Civil war and famine. The Gaol is associated with notable leaders such as Henry Joy McCracken and Charles Stewart Parnell, with their fight for freedom of Irish constitution. Guarded heavily by the British troopers, prisoners locked up in small dungeons, awaited their deportation to convict camps in Australia. In 1910, the Gaol turned into a detention home, headed by the British army. Eventually, Kilmainham Gaol was shutdown with the end of Irish Civil war in 1924, and the newly formed government in 1960, decided to conserve the Gaol, as a national memorial of Irish history.
The structure and layout of Kilmainham Gaol, is massive in scale with impressive architecture, reflecting the reign of Victorian era. Divided into small dungeons and wings in a three-tier structure, the Gaol depicts the uncanny terror within the enclosure of the towering walls.
In present day, the Office of Public Works runs Kilmainham Gaol, and preserves the intact structure with good maintenance. The Gaol is open to the public, to visit and discover about the Irish freedom struggle, and the architectural marvel of this historic building. In addition, visitors can learn about the prisoners, and the history of Gaol at the new museum, which displays various exhibits used by prisoners, hand-written letters, photographs, and clothing. With 3.5 km from the heart of the city, the museum is well accessible by all major transport links.
The Gaol is not suitable for children, due to its dark history, and granted access only by guided tours. In winter, dress appropriately, as it gets colder inside the Gaol. Pre-booking is necessary to gain entry and should arrive 15 minutes before the start of guided tours. With timed tickets, the guided tours are about 90 minutes. Ticket prices do include the guided tour. They can be purchased at the entrance or online using a Visa or Mastercard. Tickets can be purchased 60 days in advance. The website’s FAQ section cautions that the tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Open round the year, the Gaol museum remains closed on 24-26 Dec, and tickets cost €8.00 for an adult and €4.00 for students and children above 12. Senior citizens can avail tickets for discounted rates, whereas visitors holding Heritage passes gain free access. Kilmainham Gaol is open from 9am to 6pm. Visitors can reach the museum through Dublin Bus, Luas Tram and private cabs. Those with their own automobile, note that the museum does not offer any car parking facilities. Parking however is available within the vicinity. For more information or queries on tickets, timings, events, cancellation, refund, or others, reach the Kilmainham Gaol support.
