Imagine windowless cells, unbearable freezing cold, and particularly harsh prison conditions… Such is the prison of Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, Ireland, one of the most terrible prisons Europe has seen in recent centuries. And with good reason! Kilmainham Gaol has welcomed prisoners from all walks of life, from the unknown to the great historical figures who have shaped Irish history. Now closed and converted into a museum, the prison is now open to visitors, offering a poignant testimony to the living conditions to which its prisoners were subjected. A fascinating place, with a spine-chilling history!
The Kilmainham gaol – © samjanssens
Opened in 1796, Kilmainham Gaol was at the time the most modern prison in the country. The newly-constructed buildings housed over a hundred individual cells, as well as a courtyard where inmates could stroll during the occasional daily outing.
Despite the prison’s apparent modernity, prison conditions were extremely harsh: prisoners were locked in unheated cells with no windows.
The only light they had was a candle distributed every 15 days, and their diet consisted of soup, bread and milk… (which is to say, not much.) At the time, some of these prisoners were at risk of execution by hanging, as well as deportation to penal colonies in Australia. (At the time, some of these prisoners faced execution by hanging, as well as deportation to penal colonies in Australia. Offenses recorded at the time ranged from simple begging to felonies.
The Great Famine of 1845-1848, however, caused the prison to become overcrowded, with many Irish citizens stealing food and begging. One cell held 5 inmates instead of one! And in deplorable conditions (many prisoners suffered from illnesses ranging from malnutrition to pneumonia…). Aware of this problem, in 1861 the prison authorities decided to build an east wing. In pure Victorian style, this building consisted of 96 new cells on 2 floors, each with a window.
Easter Uprising – Public domain
The Easter Rising of 1916 was, however, a troubled time for Dublin Prison: many of the men and women involved in the revolt were incarcerated at Kilmainham Gaol, and 14 men were shot there between May 3 and 12, 1916. Among them were the movement’s main leaders, including Patrick Pearse, James Connolly and Joseph Plunkett…
A few years later, the War of Independence (1919-1921) and the Civil War (1922-1924) led to the imprisonment of numerous political figures (including Eamon de Valera) until 1924, when Kilmainham Gaol was finally closed.
It wasn’t until 1960 that a volunteer restoration committee decided to save the prison as a historic monument. After more than 30 years of restoration, the prison is now open to the public, welcoming thousands of visitors every year.
Inner courtyard where the leaders of the Easter Uprising were executed – © Paulo Nabas
Kilmainham Gaol has been home to many political figures who have fought for Ireland. These include :
Kilmainham Gaol is open to guided tours. You’ll be able to explore the prison’s cells, main wing and inner courtyard. The setting is chilling, so you can identify with the prisoners and their harsh living conditions.
Your guide will show you a documentary on the site, and reveal some valuable secrets about the prison!
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