Wicklow Gaol, right in the heart of Wicklow town, is well worth a visit if you're in that part of the South East. You can journey through the Gaol on your own with the help of a very good interactive system (multimedia audio handsets are provided) which takes you way back in time to the 1700's. There are wonderful holographic projections of cruel prison guards with realistic sounds of cries from the 1798 rebels and other prisoners. Three prison floors have been transformed and actually preserved (with original graffiti still visible) to give a very good visual recreation of Irish History, spread over 200 years, through the eyes of the inmates.
If you are a bit squeamish, then I would avoid the dungeon for here you will see the torture methods used, the horrid ill treatment of prisoners, lots of whom were incarcerated for petty crime such as stealing food and clothes etc. You will learn about the agonizing journey of prisoners, some as young as 11 years old, to Van Diemen's Land, experience the overcrowding and spread of dreadful and fatal diseases during the famine era, and also learn about the Irish War of Independence and the Civil War following which the Wicklow Gaol closed its prison doors for good.
I understand the Museum caters for School tours and kids parties as well as spooky banquets for special occasions and nighttime tours. read more