Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol is a grim, powerful former prison in Dublin, central to the story of Irish independence. Many leaders of rebellions were held here, and the executions of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising in its yard turned public feeling toward independence. Its haunting cells and echoing Victorian wing are seen on a moving guided tour.

History

The gaol was built in 1796 as the "New Gaol", officially the County of Dublin Gaol, to replace an old dungeon a few hundred metres away. Public hangings first took place at its front, but from the 1820s very few hangings were carried out here, and a small hanging cell was added in 1891 (Wikipedia, Kilmainham Gaol).

What to look for

• The 1916 connection - the cells and the yard where the Rising's leaders were held and shot.
• The Victorian East Wing - the dramatic tiered hall of cells.
• The stonebreakers' yard - the execution site.
• The guided tour - the account of Ireland's road to independence.

When to go

Year-round; a fully indoor visit, seen only on a guided tour, so book ahead as it sells out. It is a sombre, moving visit rather than a light one.

What to expect

It is seen only on a guided tour, which books up well ahead, so reserve early. It is a heavy, emotional place tied to painful history, not a casual sight. The tour is essential to understand its significance.

Nearby

The Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Guinness Storehouse are nearby; central Dublin is a short ride.