Kilmainham Gaol
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Great tour and a great history lesson. Highly recommend getting advanced tickets as it sells out. Had a little trouble buying our Heritage Cards here as it was our first place, but ultimately they helped is buy them
There are very detailed reviews on here, so I won't repeat what has already been said. I will just say that this is a very meaningful part of Irish history if you're interested in that. Our guide actually had a great grandfather who was in prison, which made it so personal and impactful.
Kilmainham gaol was just as important to do while in Dublin as having a pint of Guinness! As a crime/jail junkie, I knew this tour would be a happy place for me and I was right! The tour takes about 1.5 hours, depending on how many questions your group has and how long you spend in the actual museum. Our tour guide was friendly, fun and super knowledgeable, and knew how to deliver the details of history to bring you further into the story. The tour takes you through both wings of the jail, along with the stone crushing yard. The most impressive part of the tour was certainly the large open space where the male prisoners were once held. We got to explore several open cells and got to see the actual cells where a few key leaders were held. Was really cool to be in the actual spaces. Overall, the tour is certainly worth it. So much history to hear and see!
Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison in Dublin, Ireland, now a museum, famous for its role in Irish history, particularly the struggle for independence. It housed many leaders of various rebellions, including the 14 leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising (and others during the Irish Civil War) who were executed there. Today, it is preserved as a national monument and one of Dublin's most visited historical attractions. The Kilmainham Gaol can only be seen via guided tours with tickets on sale 28 days before the one you might want. At the appointed date, I was online at 12:01 AM Ireland time to buy our tickets which sold out within minutes. Others might want to do the same. I've been to Alcatraz too, but this place has a little more blood on its hands. And it was so worth it! The generations of jail cells, the misery, the politics, the cruelty, the history, the executions, and all so well summarized and illustrated by our tour guide. All those years of history were so expertly portrayed in about an hour or so. I also remembered the scenes from "In the Name of the Father" (1993) that were filmed here. Other movies using Kilmainham Gaol as a set included: The Italian Job (1969), Michael Collins (1996), The Escapist (2008), and Paddington 2 (2017). I like a powerful reminder from a previous reviewer (Matt E.): The path to independence and freedom sometimes starts in dark, cold and miserable jail cells and not always on the battlefield.
Such an incredible tour! As an American, I didn't know too much about the Irish revolution, but that didn't stop us from deeply appreciating the history and sacrifices of the people who spent time in this place. Definitely a great way to spend a few hours learning about the country.
A very interesting piece of Irish history. Must book this ahead of time as tickets sell out fast!! The guided tour lasted an hour. Our tour guide was fabulous (sorry, I can't remember his name) , he shared a wealth of Irish history with us, regarding the Gaol and the politics surrounding it. Very interesting .... Viewed a few cells and rooms, the living conditions, people that died.... Afterwards, we had access to the three floor museum, where you can dive deeper into history. Slightly complicated for me, but it gave me a better understanding. May spend some time in the museum... Restrooms and a cafe were available. The Gaol is well worth a visit.
So you cannot visit Dublin and not take a tour here. Our guide was fantastic! He was able to answer all our questions and was so knowledgeable. The preservation of this treasure is grand. I learned so much history and I felt a connection to the men, women and children who spent time there. I felt a deeper connection to Ireland after my visit here.
An unforgettable experience. Kilmainham Gaol (i.e. Jail) is a reminder of the struggles and tragedies necessary for the Irish people to gain freedom from British oppression. The imposing Gaol opened in 1796, built on top of the cheerily named "Gallows Hill". To really add to the general misery of the place, the prison itself was built from a local limestone that locked in the cold and damp. In addition to political prisoners the Gaol held children as young as 8 for the "grave offence" of stealing a piece of bread during the famine. The prison was closed for penal business in 1924 and is now open to the public by guided tour only. Our guide was wonderful as he made history come alive during the course of the one hour tour, which starts in the chapel and ends in the Bonebreakers Yard (where leaders of the Irish Revolution were executed). There are some stairs but the tour pace is relaxed so doable for most. Tickets are 6EUR each, purchased on the Gaol website exactly 3 months prior to the desired tour date/time beginning midnight Irish time. Tours sell out quickly so it's best to get online promptly. I've heard that additional tickets may be available each morning due to cancellations, but I reserved ahead to make sure.
I found Kilmainham Gaol absolutely fascinating. I knew very little about the history of the jail so it was very interesting to learn more about the Easter Rising and some of the Irish revolutionaries that spent time here. Our guide was extremely well informed and engaging. He thoughtfully interacted with our tour group and it was a nice blend of history and storytelling. The hour long tour flew by. We were lucky enough to get same day tickets but I know it's typically recommended to buy in advance. I'd definitely recommend this experience to anyone looking to learn a little about Irish history. The jail is located a little outside the city center but is easily accessible via public transport or a long walk, which is what we did.
Full of history, Kilmainham is still perfectly preserved to contain and share all the stories of struggles of the Irish people. The guys are wonderful, have answers to so many questions, and help put you in the shoes of what this jail was like when it first opened. I would make sure to book a ticket in advance, unless you want to wait around the area and are open to any availability they may or may not have.
This place is historically interesting though I wish the tour guide hadn't been so sad because it made the tour boring. The big room is about the coolest thing here and the stories that are interesting but other than that you should be able to get through here pretty fast. Book a ticket in advance but they do release tickets for the day (for cancellations and no shows) in the morning around 9am to 930am.
This tour was great as was our tour guide filled with history & threw in some mirth that contrasted with the darkness of what really occurred on the grounds we walked through. Truly interesting stories of what went on until 1924 in this gaol. I would highly recommend this tour, but keep in mind uneven ground, stairs, and quite a bit of walking might make it difficult for some.
A must see in Dublin! I didn't realize you had to book tickets so far in advance. We were lucky enough to be able to get some of the same day tickets they release at 9:15. The same day release was a bit hard to navigate on an iPhone but we did it fine. Our tour guide was super friendly and knowledgeable. We enjoyed the tour and it was a great way to also escape the rain. Learned lots about the history of this place during the tour and at the museum! read more
5 months ago
I have been to so many countries and I've been in so many tours and this is one of the best, our tour guide, Adam, just beautifully portrayed the story of the jail. He was so incredibly captivating. I'm not sure anyone spoke for the full hour of the tour we were all so fascinated in his stories. So sobering and poignant. For only €8 this is an absolute steal. We took the first tour in the morning which I recommend as you get to see everything, including the museum, before the crowds. read more
Great tour and a great history lesson. Highly recommend getting advanced tickets as it sells out. Had a little trouble buying our Heritage Cards here as it was our first place, but ultimately they helped is buy them read more
There are very detailed reviews on here, so I won't repeat what has already been said. I will just say that this is a very meaningful part of Irish history if you're interested in that. Our guide actually had a great grandfather who was in prison, which made it so personal and impactful. read more
Kilmainham gaol was just as important to do while in Dublin as having a pint of Guinness! As a crime/jail junkie, I knew this tour would be a happy place for me and I was right! The tour takes about 1.5 hours, depending on how many questions your group has and how long you spend in the actual museum. Our tour guide was friendly, fun and super knowledgeable, and knew how to deliver the details of history to bring you further into the story. The tour takes you through both wings of the jail, along with the stone crushing yard. The most impressive part of the tour was certainly the large open space where the male prisoners were once held. We got to explore several open cells and got to see the actual cells where a few key leaders were held. Was really cool to be in the actual spaces. Overall, the tour is certainly worth it. So much history to hear and see! read more
Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison in Dublin, Ireland, now a museum, famous for its role in Irish history, particularly the struggle for independence. It housed many leaders of various rebellions, including the 14 leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising (and others during the Irish Civil War) who were executed there. Today, it is preserved as a national monument and one of Dublin's most visited historical attractions. The Kilmainham Gaol can only be seen via guided tours with tickets on sale 28 days before the one you might want. At the appointed date, I was online at 12:01 AM Ireland time to buy our tickets which sold out within minutes. Others might want to do the same. I've been to Alcatraz too, but this place has a little more blood on its hands. And it was so worth it! The generations of jail cells, the misery, the politics, the cruelty, the history, the executions, and all so well summarized and illustrated by our tour guide. All those years of history were so expertly portrayed in about an hour or so. I also remembered the scenes from "In the Name of the Father" (1993) that were filmed here. Other movies using Kilmainham Gaol as a set included: The Italian Job (1969), Michael Collins (1996), The Escapist (2008), and Paddington 2 (2017). I like a powerful reminder from a previous reviewer (Matt E.): The path to independence and freedom sometimes starts in dark, cold and miserable jail cells and not always on the battlefield. read more
Such an incredible tour! As an American, I didn't know too much about the Irish revolution, but that didn't stop us from deeply appreciating the history and sacrifices of the people who spent time in this place. Definitely a great way to spend a few hours learning about the country. read more
1 year ago
A very interesting piece of Irish history. Must book this ahead of time as tickets sell out fast!! The guided tour lasted an hour. Our tour guide was fabulous (sorry, I can't remember his name) , he shared a wealth of Irish history with us, regarding the Gaol and the politics surrounding it. Very interesting .... Viewed a few cells and rooms, the living conditions, people that died.... Afterwards, we had access to the three floor museum, where you can dive deeper into history. Slightly complicated for me, but it gave me a better understanding. May spend some time in the museum... Restrooms and a cafe were available. The Gaol is well worth a visit. read more
5 months ago
Thankyou so much to our tour guide Aaron. He's absolutely terrific and made the tour very educational. His knowledge was amazing. So glad we did then tour. Saddened and shocked at the conditions men, women and children were made to endure. Definitely book in advance. ***** read more
So you cannot visit Dublin and not take a tour here. Our guide was fantastic! He was able to answer all our questions and was so knowledgeable. The preservation of this treasure is grand. I learned so much history and I felt a connection to the men, women and children who spent time there. I felt a deeper connection to Ireland after my visit here. read more
An unforgettable experience. Kilmainham Gaol (i.e. Jail) is a reminder of the struggles and tragedies necessary for the Irish people to gain freedom from British oppression. The imposing Gaol opened in 1796, built on top of the cheerily named "Gallows Hill". To really add to the general misery of the place, the prison itself was built from a local limestone that locked in the cold and damp. In addition to political prisoners the Gaol held children as young as 8 for the "grave offence" of stealing a piece of bread during the famine. The prison was closed for penal business in 1924 and is now open to the public by guided tour only. Our guide was wonderful as he made history come alive during the course of the one hour tour, which starts in the chapel and ends in the Bonebreakers Yard (where leaders of the Irish Revolution were executed). There are some stairs but the tour pace is relaxed so doable for most. Tickets are 6EUR each, purchased on the Gaol website exactly 3 months prior to the desired tour date/time beginning midnight Irish time. Tours sell out quickly so it's best to get online promptly. I've heard that additional tickets may be available each morning due to cancellations, but I reserved ahead to make sure. read more
I found Kilmainham Gaol absolutely fascinating. I knew very little about the history of the jail so it was very interesting to learn more about the Easter Rising and some of the Irish revolutionaries that spent time here. Our guide was extremely well informed and engaging. He thoughtfully interacted with our tour group and it was a nice blend of history and storytelling. The hour long tour flew by. We were lucky enough to get same day tickets but I know it's typically recommended to buy in advance. I'd definitely recommend this experience to anyone looking to learn a little about Irish history. The jail is located a little outside the city center but is easily accessible via public transport or a long walk, which is what we did. read more
2 years ago
Full of history, Kilmainham is still perfectly preserved to contain and share all the stories of struggles of the Irish people. The guys are wonderful, have answers to so many questions, and help put you in the shoes of what this jail was like when it first opened. I would make sure to book a ticket in advance, unless you want to wait around the area and are open to any availability they may or may not have. read more
This place is historically interesting though I wish the tour guide hadn't been so sad because it made the tour boring. The big room is about the coolest thing here and the stories that are interesting but other than that you should be able to get through here pretty fast. Book a ticket in advance but they do release tickets for the day (for cancellations and no shows) in the morning around 9am to 930am. read more
This tour was great as was our tour guide filled with history & threw in some mirth that contrasted with the darkness of what really occurred on the grounds we walked through. Truly interesting stories of what went on until 1924 in this gaol. I would highly recommend this tour, but keep in mind uneven ground, stairs, and quite a bit of walking might make it difficult for some. read more
If you are going to Dublin then I would highly recommend starting your trip at the Kilmainham Gaol and doing the guided tour. The tour also gives you access to the museum, so if you choose an earlier time, you can visit the museum after. Although it was raining the day we went, it was very tolerable as most of the tour is indoors. Bring an umbrella for the outdoor part. Our tour guide was Andrew - he was great!! Very thorough, informative, funny and nice. The museum is indoors, making it a really great place to visit in the rain. It is multiple stories with tons of history about the Kilmainham Gaol and the Republic of Ireland. read more
4 years ago
Historical jail that's a short bus ride from the city center. Booked our tickets online in advance, as a tour is required (it does seems like it would be easy to get lost if you wandered by yourself). Our tour guide Jonathan was excellent - very knowledgeable and had good voice projection. Incidentally, he sounded a bit like Sean Connery to me. You check in at the door and wait until your group comes together before you start walking around. The tour was about an hour, and then you have a chance to wander on your own in the museum. There was a lot of history in the jail, and they did a really good job of providing context. There's a cafe as well as restrooms on the second level. It's a good spot for kids as well as big groups. If you come during the day, you could go for a stroll in the park afterwards. read more
Shoutout to both Ciara and Roy for making my experience at the Gaol possible. I emailed them with concerns about mobility, since I use a cane, and about being able to get a tour that fit my schedule. I met you, Roy, but Ciara, if you're out there... you started it all and made it happen! Many thanks for the opportunity! The Gaol reminded me much of my time when I worked at Eastern State Penitentiary in the States. Though the Kilmainham Gaol is far better maintained than most of ESP, I could not help but feel so many similarities to the stories of prisoner neglect, suicides, executions, and the horrible conditions that many of them had to endure. The history behind those hallowed halls can really be felt as you walk through the corridors and into the cells. Daniel, the guide for my particular group, was amazing at delivering information and bringing the group through with such fluidity. As I moved on through the building, I could see other tours simultaneously being brought through. They really do have the timing down to a T, which is why it is so important to be on time and why so many bookings sell out so quickly! I managed with my gammy old leg fairly easily, but you will be on your feet for most of it and unfortunately it does not appear that there is wheelchair access (except for the museum, also very interesting in and of itself). If you do have additional needs or concerns, I think you may email them, as they were very receptive to me. read more
2 years ago
Thoroughly enjoyed the guided tour! Our guide Anna was fantastic, giving lots of detail on the history of the jail and individual cells, etc. Was able to answer any questions the group had. Voice carried very well without feeling like we were being yelled at or talked down to. The tour was very informative and I felt like I truly learned a lot about Irish history in just an hour tour. We booked our tickets day of, as extras pop up around 9:00-9:30 in the morning, so don't worry too much if you don't book a month out, if you are flexible with timing it should be pretty easy to get some last minute. My husband accidentally booked the tour for the wrong date, but luckily David was able to help us out over the phone. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
My husband and I just returned from our Ireland adventure. We were lucky enough to obtain tickets to tour Kilmainham Gaol. Our tour guide was amazing! Definitely suggest touring this facility...it is inexpensive and worth the time. Be sure to buy tickets early...they sell out quickly. read more
This place is well worth the time. Great history and well preserved and you get to walk the grounds and explore both the old and new sections of the old jail that had some famous guests. The guides provide a great and informative overview of the history. There is a cafe for light snacks plus coffee and tea. Can't say enough about finding this place. I would put it up there with Top 10 sites to visit while in Dublin. Not close but walkable from the city center. read more
2 years ago
On their website it will generally look sold out, but from what I saw there are always day-of tickets that come available at 9:15 AM. This was the main thing I wanted to see in the day and a half we were in Dublin, and it did not disappoint. The tour, the venue, and the museum provided a master course in recent Irish history to this foreigner, and if I knew anyone who was going to Dublin I would tell them to be sure to visit Kilmainham Gaol. Our tour guide Conor was notably outstanding and did an incredible job of conveying the importance of the place in the story of Ireland's history. This will always be one of the places in the world I'm most glad I visited. read more
My wife, her cousin and I embarked on this tour after attending the Guinness tour. We endured an episode in the brewery where we thought our Gaol tickets were lost, but we found them right before the tour. Needless to say, this jail tour was fueled by copious amounts of Guinness beer. We started the tour with a video history of the jail, in the room where an inmate was wed to a lover the day before execution. The video included the children who were imprisoned here for various petty crimes, such as stealing bread. Our tour guide took us inside the jail and we saw various cells as he told us the history of the famous prisoners here as well as various foiled uprisings and insurrections. Interesting to note were the huge numbers of people executed on site. About 10 minutes into the tour I had to relieve my bladder. My bladder has gotten smaller over the years and the four pints of Guinness didn't help. The tour guide called a mate to escort me to the bathroom. I missed about 20 minutes of the tour. On top of missing some of the tour, our guide had a very dull personality and I don't think I gleaned as much as I could have if: a.) I hadn't drank four pints of Guinness b.) Hadn't missed 20 minutes of the tour c.) The guide's personality had inspired me to pay attention Needless to say, I'm sure under the right circumstances this tour is quite good. These just didn't transpire when I was there. read more
3 years ago
One of the most powerful experiences we had in Ireland was visiting the 1796 Kilmainham Gaol. We saw both the old section and the east wing which was replaced with an updated, new design in the late 1850's. Our tour guide, Mary, did an excellent job of telling us about the history of the jail/prison. She also shared the circumstances of some of the inmates and how they came to be there, including children during the Great Famine, and leaders of the 1916 Uprising. The museum provided interesting additional information. read more
The history, the story and the jail is a must see when you're in Dublin. The tour guide, Dave, was very informative and passionate. He was very knowledgeable and made the entire tour interesting and engaging. At the end of the tour, one has a better understanding and respect for Ireland's history. I know I did. One part that i felt engaged in was the "all seeing eye" room where a guard was able to see every cell no matter where they stood. We were able to walk into some and peek into some of the cells. Afterwards, you entered an museum exhibit where you can see letters that were written to loved ones, clothes, and other personal paraphernalia. Just an all around great experience. This is a MUST SEE! read more
One of the top attention in Dublin, this abandoned prison is one of the largest unoccupied gaols in Europe, covering some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland's emergence as a modern nation from 1780s to the 1920s. It's worth to wait for the guided tour as it will tell your a lot of information about old wing and new wing and the history of the jail. You might not catch the tour in time, but spend sometime to visit the museum is also quite enjoyable read more
7 years ago
8 years ago
Epitome of Irish history. Jail cells that holds many historical events that shaped Ireland for what it is today! Brutal and gruesome. No wonder they have the saying of the luck of the fightin' Irish! read more
What an interesting history and great tour. A lot of history and information and so good to get to see it and feel the coldness of the building. It really allowed you to imagine what the conditions would have been like. It also opened your eyes to the history that Ireland has had. Our guide was very knowledgeable but didn't have too much of a personality. He really seemed to know what he was talking about though read more
8 years ago
My dad really wanted to go here when we were in Dublin, so we got tickets. Make sure to but tickets in advance because they sell out. We got there a little early, so we waited in the prison court room until it was time for the tour to start. The tour was very interesting. Our guide was very good and told us about the history of the jail. We learned a lot about the political history of Ireland and the people imprisoned at the jail. The main room of the new side of the jail is actually really pretty with a spiral staircase and a lot of natural light. At the end, there is a museum that's included with your ticket, but we didn't have much time to spend there. I think this is definitely worth doing while in Dublin! read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
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More info about Kilmainham Gaol
Inchicore Rd
Kilmainham, 8
Republic of Ireland
Island Bridge
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(01) 453 5984
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http://kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie
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