Kilmainham Gaol

Overview

Dublin's Kilmainham Gaol held some of the most famous political and military leaders in Irish history such as Robert Emmet, Charles Stewart Parnell, the 1916 Rising leaders and Eamon de Valera. If for no other reason, Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin would be remarkable for being the biggest unoccupied gaol in these islands. As such, it gives the visitor a dramatic and realistic insight into what is was like to have been confined in one of these forbidding bastions of punishment and correction between 1796 when it opened and 1924 when it closed. It offers a panoramic insight into some of the most profound, disturbing and inspirational themes of modern Irish history. Leaders of the rebellions of 1798, 1803, 1848, 1867 and 1916 were detained and sometimes executed here. The Gaol also played a role during the harsh Famine times. The visit includes a 1 hour guided tour and exhibition. It is a very busy site. Pre booking online is essential. You don't need to print out tickets, just retain your order number. Only the ground floor is wheelchair accessible and a ground floor tour can be organised if needed; please email (don't book online in this case). Buggies are not permitted on the tour and it is not really appropriate for younger children under 6 years. Information leaflets are available online in English, Gaeilge, Español, Italiano, Deutsche, and Français. Please see the website for information on temporary exhibitions. Paid parking is available at the nearby IMMA for a small fee. If you are unable to do a tour, you are free to visit the museum section and to enjoy the café on site.

A jail is one of the locations that best evokes Dublin's occasionally violent past.
There is a strong sense of history in this place because it was the site of the 1916 Rising's leaders' executions, making it significant to the Irish uprising.
You won't encounter any inmates because it hasn't been used since 1924; instead, you'll see townspeople roaming around the lovely grounds.

Built in 1796 Kilmainham Gaol museum is a former prison and largest unoccupied goals in Europe and Largest preserved Victorian jail in Europe. It was opened as a jail and held generations of criminals. Public hangings took place at the front of the prison, but later in 1891 a small hanging room was built in prison for public and private hanging. The prison conditions were extremely bad: one small cell would be filled with 5 people: man, woman and even children. They were given one candle per 2 weeks for heath and light.

Later on, the prison has held countless Irish revolutionaries- many of most important historical figures spent time in this jail, for some of them it was a place, where they were executed.

In 1960’s the jail was restored and now is one of the biggest historical attractions in Dublin, offering guided tours. It’s extremely popular historic attraction in Dublin, where lots of film scenes were made, as well as video clip for U2 and a few BBC programmes.

Kilmainham Gaol is more than a prison and witnessed the most important steps in Irish history. It’s a very popular and a must to see Dublin attraction, so book you tickets in advance, to avoid disappointment.

Opening hours

Kilmainham Gaol Museum is open all year round, except the 24th, 25th, and 26th of December. Early closing at 2pm on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th January 2020.

October – March 9:30 – 17:30 (last admission at 16:15)

April & May 9:00 – 18:00 (last admission at 16:45)

June, July & August 9:30 – 18:00 (last admission at 17:20)

September 9:30 – 18:00 (last admission at 17:20)