The HMP Crumlin Road Gaol

HMP Crumlin Road Gaol (Her Majesty’s Prisons Belfast, Crumlin Road Gaol in English), is a famous prison north of Belfast. In operation from 1846 until 1996, this Victorian-era prison is said to have been one of the most sinister establishments of its time, housing over 500 inmates in particularly precarious conditions…

Visit HMP Crumlin Road Gaol

A modern prison for the Victorian era!

Belfast Prison was designed by Sir Charles Lanyon between 1843 and 1845 for £60,000. Built to replace a prison in Carrickfergus, the building was erected in pure Victorian style. Spanning 10 hectares, it was at the time the most modern prison in the country.

Made up of 4 floors, it was the first prison in Ireland to be built to avoid as much contact between inmates as possible. As soon as it opened, it took in prisoners accused mainly of stealing food and clothing… Subsequently, independence fighters, IRA members and others involved in the Northern Ireland conflict were imprisoned at HMP Crumlin Road Gaol. Eamon De Valera, Ian Paisley, Martin McGuinness, Michael Stone and Bobby Sands were among those locked up in this prison…

The guided tour takes you into the heart of the prison, with its different levels, cells, main wing and execution chamber. The latter was built in 1901, and 17 prisoners were executed by hanging (their bodies were buried in the HMP Crumlin Road Gaol).

Allow 45 minutes for a tour of the prison. The guide is quite good, and the history of the prison fascinating. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the world of Northern Ireland’s prisons, and gain a better understanding of the country’s history. Please note that these tours must be guided, but will require a good level of English… as French is not yet one of the languages mastered by the staff at HMP Crumlin Road Gaol…

A prison notorious for being haunted by ghosts…

Many visitors and staff have reported unexplained phenomena in the prison. Shadows moving in the corner of your eye, footsteps when no one’s around, doors slamming shut and voices whispered in the silence. These experiences were so frequent and so compelling that many local guides consider Crumlin Road Gaol to be one of the most haunted places in Northern Ireland.

Some believe that the spirits of executed prisoners remain forever trapped within these walls, condemned to relive their final moments for all eternity. Others believe that the intense suffering and emotional distress experienced here have left an energetic imprint, making the prison a hotspot for paranormal activity.

It’s even rumored that a former guard continues to roam the prison, stationing himself opposite the gaols, watching over the ghostly prisoners who may have been incarcerated here during their lifetime.

Brrr: it’s sure to set the mood!