how long is kilmainham gaol tour

The Kilmainham Gaol Tour: One Of The Best Tours In Dublin (All You Need To Know)

By Author James March

Posted on Last updated: December 31, 2023

A visit to Kilmainham Gaol (Jail) is arguably one of the best things to do in Dublin .

Built back in 1796 and initially known as the ‘new gaol’ in order to differentiate it from the dungeon it was replacing, the Kilmainham Gaol Museum is a fascinating place to explore.

Over the course of its life as a working prison, it housed many a notable name while also playing witness to the executions of several leaders of the 1916 Rising.

Below, you’ll get the lowdown on the Kilmainham Gaol tour, where to grab parking, how to get there via public transport and more handy info.

Table of Contents

Some quick need-to-knows about Kilmainham Gaol 

Although a visit to the Kilmainham Gaol Museum is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

As you might have guessed by its name, Kilmainham Gaol is located in Kilmainham… It’s a 15-minute walk from the Irish Museum of Modern Art and a 25-minute walk from both the Phoenix Park and the Guinness Storehouse .

2. Opening hours

The Kilmainham Gaol opening hours differ slightly, depending on what time of year you visit (though the time differences are so small that they shouldn’t affect your itinerary too much).

• September to June: 9:30 – 17:15
• July & August: 9:30 – 17:30 

3. Admission

Not only is Kilmainham Gaol one of the best museums in Dublin – it’s one of the most fairly priced, too (especially as the tour is guided). Kilmainham Gaol tickets will set you back:

• Adult: €8
• Senior 60+): €6
• Student: €4
• Child (12-17): €4
• Family (Two adults & 2-3 children 12-17): €20

Though there are no car parking facilities at Kilmainham Gaol, parking is available at the nearby Irish Museum of Modern Art/Royal Hospital Kilmainham. Access is via East Gate on Military Road. The car park is just a 5-minute walk to the Gaol.

5. Getting there by public transport

There are four Dublin buses that drop you close to the Kilmainham Gaol museum so consider jumping on any of these:

• No. 69, 79 from Aston Quay, Dublin 2
• No. 13 & 40 from O’Connell Street , Dublin 1, or College Green Dublin 2
• If you’d prefer to go by the Luas Tram, then take the red line. Your nearest stop will be Suir Road

Kilmainham Gaol history

Photos via Shutterstock

Dublin’s infamous prison was built back in 1796 and was initially known as the ‘new gaol’ in order to differentiate it from the dungeon it was replacing.

Despite the new premises, conditions inside Kilmainham weren’t a whole lot better. With no segregation of prisoners, men, women and children were incarcerated together, with up to 5 in each cell and only a single candle for light and heat.

The poor conditions meant that most of the prisoners’ time was spent in the cold and dark, while each candle had to last for up to two weeks.

Things would eventually get a little warmer for certain adult prisoners who would be transported to Australia as convicts.

Irish Nationalism and 1916

From the beginning, the prison had powerful ties to Irish Nationalism and actually housed its first political prisoner in the same year that it opened!

Seven years later, the leader of the 1803 Irish rebellion, Robert Emmet, was incarcerated at Kilmainham before being hanged for high treason.

But Kilmainham is probably most famous for its role in the imprisonment and executions of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising . Of the 90 people sentenced to death, fifteen were executed at Kilmainham, including Proclamation of the Republic signatories Patrick Pearse, Thomas Clarke and James Connolly.

Restoration and life as a museum

Following the end of the Irish Civil War, the prison closed due to it being seen as the symbol of oppression and a difficult past.

While interest in re-opening the prison as a museum to Irish Nationalism was strong, over 40 years passed before Kilmainham was able to be restored, and it finally opened to the public in April 1966.

These days, Kilmainham Gaol is one of the biggest unoccupied prisons in Europe and it’s one of the most evocative symbols of Dublin and Ireland’s turbulent history.

Things you’ll discover on the Kilmainham Gaol tour

One of the reasons the Kilmainham Gaol tour is one of the most popular places to visit in Dublin is due to the sheer number of things there is to see and do.

Below, you’ll find info on the various corners of the building you’ll explore and the stories you’ll hear on the Kilmainham Gaol tour.

1. The building

Taking 10 years to build, construction began on the new gaol in 1786 and would cost the Grand Jury of the County of Dublin £22,000 by the time it was finished (a hefty sum of money in those days!).

The gaolers lived in the central front block, while the two wings contained cells for the prisoners. The interior buildings and yards are surrounded by a thick wall which measures between 30′ and 50′ depending on its location, while the main entrance was the formidable doorway (with the five snakes above it).

Just outside this entrance was where public hangings took place until the late nineteenth century and remains of the fixtures for the gallows can still be seen.

2. Prison life

Photo by matthi (Shutterstock)

As we touched on earlier, conditions at the prison were pretty squalid despite being billed as a higher quality replacement for the old gaol (not to mention the cost!).

The same problems that dogged the old gaol raised their ugly head again at Kilmainham, mainly thanks to the overcrowding, which led to disease and poor hygiene.

The famine years were particularly bad, and food rations during this period were particularly low. Yet amazingly, people were committing crimes to be allowed entry into the prison due to the small amount of regular food available.

Prisoners also worked within the Gaol. A sentence of hard labour for a man consisted of manually breaking stones in the Stonebreakers’ Yard, and for women meant working in the laundry.

3. The transportation of convicts

Ironically, the main reason the gaol suffered from overcrowding was due to people waiting to leave. From the time it opened until the early 1850s, Kilmainham Gaol was used as a depot for convicts from the northeast of Ireland who had been sentenced to transportation to Australia.

Here they would wait before being transferred to a port in either Dublin or Cork, where they would board great convict ships bound for Australian penal colonies.

Over 4,000 prisoners were processed through Kilmainham during this period, and most of them were either petty criminals or political prisoners.

4. The turbulent 1910 – 1924 period

The 14 years between 1910 and 1924 represented what Kilmainham would eventually become most famous for. From the height of overcrowding in the mid-19th century, the last two decades of the century actually saw a decline in the prison population, and Kilmainham was closed as a money-saving exercise by the government.

In 1910, those in Kilmainham were transferred to Mountjoy Prison, and a year later, Kilmainham Gaol was handed over to the military (the British Army) for their use from then on.

From the outbreak of World War I in 1914, they used it as living quarters for new recruits and as a military detention centre for soldiers.

5. The executions

Taking advantage of Great Britain’s resources being ploughed into the war, the Easter Rising of 1916 took place when the enemy was at its most distracted.

After six days of fighting, the Irish rebels eventually surrendered, and many were incarcerated in Kilmainham.

Between the 3rd and 12th of May 1916, fourteen men were executed by firing squad in the Stonebreakers’ Yard of Kilmainham Gaol.

Seven of them had been the signatories of the Proclamation and their names are all still significant today. They were Thomas Clarke, Seán Mac Diarmada, Thomas MacDonagh, Patrick Pearse, Éamonn Ceannt, James Connolly, and Joseph Plunkett.

Things to do near the Kilmainham Gaol Museum

One of the beauties of the Kilmainham Gaol tour is that, when you finish up, you’re a short walk from some of the best places to visit in Dublin .

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the Kilmainham Gaol Museum (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).

1. Irish National War Memorial Gardens (12-minute walk)

Photo by Patrycja St (Shutterstock)

To learn about some more people (many more, in fact) who gave up their lives in the name of freedom and their country, make the short 12-minute walk over to the Irish National War Memorial Gardens. Designed by Sir Edwin Luytens, it’s a peaceful handsome spot featuring a domed temple and sunken gardens.

2. Irish Museum of Modern Art (15-minute walk)

Located in a renovated 17th-century hospital just 15 minutes from the Kilmainham Gaol tour, the Irish Museum of Modern Art is home to the National Collection of Modern and contemporary art, with over 3,500 artworks by Irish and International artists. The mix of vivid modern art within the historic walls of the old hospital is a clash of the senses and makes for a really interesting visit.

3. Phoenix Park (23-minute walk)

If you want some fresh air after the tour or if your head needs a little clearing, there’s no better place to do that than Phoenix Park . One of the largest city parks in Europe, it’s a pleasant 23-minute walk away just across the Liffey and there are a bunch of interesting sights inside, such as the Wellington Monument and Dublin Zoo .

4. Guinness Storehouse (22-minute walk)

Courtesy Diageo Ireland Brand Homes via Ireland’s Content Pool

If you’d like to raise a glass to Pearse and Connolly at Ireland’s most iconic brewery, then make the 22-minute walk east over to the Guinness Storehouse . While learning about the history, the brewing process and the legendary adverts is great. It’s the rooftop bar that really makes the Storehouse a cracking visit.

FAQs about Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Why is Kilmainham Gaol famous?’ (for its historical significance) to ‘Is the Kilmainham Jail tour worth doing?’ (it is!).

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

How long is the Kilmainham jail tour?

You’ll want to allow around 1.5 hours to get through the entire Kilmainham Gaol museum tour. This includes checking in time.

How much does it cost to visit Kilmainham Gaol?

Kilmainham Gaol tickets are €8 for adults, € for seniors (60+), €4 for students and kids aged 12 to 17. There’s also a family ticket for €20.

Is the Kilmainham Gaol Museum really worth going to?

Yes – the Kilmainham Gaol tour is absolutely fantastic and it’ll grip you from start to end. Expect many tales, legends and Kilmainham Gaol facts.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Monday 6th of May 2019

OMG YES!! I can't stress enough how absolutely AMAZING this tour was, perhaps even the best of my entire trip which included other wonderful places in Ireland, as well as Scotland and France. It was a sort of last minute decision and I was the only one in my group who knew any of the history surrounding the Kilmanhaim Gaol but every single person in my group LOVED the tour and learned so much from the extremely knowledgeable tour guides. At the end there is a small museum, don't miss the letter from a 17 yr old young man to his mother before he is executed. It haunts me to this day and I have such enormous respect and admiration for every brave soul that fought tirelessly for their beloved free Ireland.

Tuesday 7th of May 2019

Glad you enjoyed it Karen. It's been a couple of years since I last did it. Thinking about visiting the weekend after next! Great spot!

• Click to open search
• Open the main navigation
• Newsletter Opens in a new window

Kilmainham Gaol

• Family friendly
• Pre-booking essential

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.

Fri, 31 May - Sun, 2 Jun

Richmond Barracks

Heritage Ireland

Kilmainham gaol museum.

BOOK ONLINE

See all opening times

Please note that no third-party organisations have authorisation to sell tickets to Kilmainham Gaol

Tickets bought from other sites- including ticketing resale platforms -will not be valid and such ticket-holders will be refused entry.

ADULT: €8 SENIOR (60+): €6 CHILD (12-17): €4 CHILD (under 12): FREE but require a ticket STUDENT (valid student ID required): €4 FAMILY (Two adults & 2/3 children 12-17): €20

Pre-booking tickets online is essential.Please note that no third-party organisations have authorisation to sell tickets to Kilmainham Gaol. Tickets bought from other sites- including ticketing resale platforms -will not be valid and such ticket-holders will be refused entry.           

For wheelchair users or visitors who require special assistance please email [email protected] in advance of booking. Group bookings (10 tickets+) please email [email protected]

Getting here

Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8 D08 T2X5

Get Directions

Kilmainham Gaol is one of the largest unoccupied gaols in Europe. It opened in 1796 as the new county gaol for Dublin and finally shut its doors as such in 1924. During that period it witnessed some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland’s emergence as a modern nation.

Among those detained – and in some cases executed – here were leaders of the rebellions of 1798, 1803, 1848, 1867 and 1916, as well as members of the Irish republican movement during the War of Independence and Civil War.

Names like Henry Joy McCracken, Robert Emmet, Anne Devlin and Charles Stewart Parnell will always be associated with the building. Not to be forgotten, however, are the thousands of men, women and children that Kilmainham held in its capacity as county gaol.

Kilmainham Gaol is now a major museum. The tour of the prison includes an audio-visual presentation.

Opening Times

Open All year .

Closed 24, 25,26 and 27 December

Daily access by guided tour only. Pre-booking is essential. Please allow 90 minutes for your visit. As part of the tour is outdoors, visitors should dress appropriately for the weather.

Please note that this is a very busy site all year round and visitors may experience delays at certain times. During winter months the interior of the Gaol is very cold — please dress appropriately.

01 453 5984

[email protected]

By Car – Public car park close to site.

By Bus – Take the X8 to Cashel and walk 500m from the centre of Cashel town off the Dublin Road.

By Train – The nearest train station is Thurles.

Click the relevant icon below to open Maps directions

Getting Here

3.5km from centre of Dublin.

Open location in Google Maps

Facilities Restrictions

• Baby Changing
• Bicycle Parking
• Card Accepted
• Guided tours

Restrictions

• Access by Guided Tour Only
• Assistance dogs only
• Hold hand rail
• Uneven walkways

Social Guide

Download, print and read our social guide (PDF) about visiting Kilmainham Gaol. This will help first-time visitors, families and people with developmental and learning disabilities to prepare for a visit to Kilmainham Gaol.

Download the Social Guide (Covid-19)

Nearby sites to visit

Irish national war memorial gardens.

Relax and reflect in this beautiful garden monument

Approx. 0.5 km from Kilmainham Gaol Museum

Royal Hospital Kilmainham

One of Dublin's most iconic buildings and Ireland’s foremost example of fine 17th century architecture

Approx. 0.7 km from Kilmainham Gaol Museum

Phoenix Park – People’s Flower Gardens

Enjoy Victorian floriculture at its best

Approx. 1.1 km from Kilmainham Gaol Museum

You might also like

Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh Conamara- Pearse’s Cottage and Visitor Centre

A cottage steeped in revolutionary history and Gaelic culture

Pearse Museum – St. Enda’s Park

An enthralling chapter in the story of 1916

Heritage Card

Unlimited access to Ireland’s past

Buy one today

Join our mailing list

Keep up to date on our news, events, activities and publications.

Kilmainham Gaol – History And All The Things You Need To Know

Categories Dublin , Where To Go

A trip to the Kilmainham Gaol is probably one of the more sobering experiences should you decide to visit. It is located off the Dublin city center and accessible via public transport.

This place is far from being fun or relaxing tourist attraction, but it is an important part of Ireland’s history. In particular, the Gaol played a significant role in the country’s independence. 

This place is no fortress, not a pretty castle or museum . Kilmainham Gaol was a  working prison that housed men, women, and children.

Kilmainham Gaol – History And All The Things You Need To Know

It was in operation from 1787 until 1924. Records say that the youngest child sent here was only seven years old. 

The prison housed felons of all ages, sexes, and offenses. Those who had more serious charges were not kept in jail cells but hanged outside.

Thousands of prisoners were also kept here while they await transport to British penal colonies in Australia. 

During the time of the Great Potato Famine (1845 – 1852), it was said that many people intentionally broke the law so they’d be sent to the Gaol.

READ MORE: 10 BEST MUSEUMS IN DUBLIN, IRELAND

Irish people back then did this hoping they’d be fed while incarcerated. This situation eventually led to the overcrowding of the prison.

Women and children had to sleep on the floor or hallways without blankets or covering.

Men had to squeeze themselves in 28-square meter cells that are usually good for only five people. 

From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, Kilmainham Gaol was infamously tied to its rebel prisoners. A great number of Irish Nationalists were sent here.

Meanwhile,  every Irish Republican leader stayed here for various offenses at one time or another.

Following 1916 Rising when the riots were quelled by the British Army, its leaders gave themselves up under the orders of Pádraig Pearse. 

A lot of those who were part of the Irish Revolution was kept in jail. At the same time, the controversial secret courts-martial also happened under British General John Maxwell.

READ MORE: 30 THINGS TO DO IN DUBLIN, IRELAND

Those tried did not even have access to lawyers, and fifteen of them were executed. Of those fifteen, seven were signatories of the 1916 Proclamation including Pearse.

These executions, instead of containing the nationalist uprising, had the opposite effect. The nationalist movement further gained momentum.

Word spread regarding these executions and it eventually resulted in independence for most of Ireland. Soon after, Kilmainham Gaol ceased its operations and closed in 1924. 

Kilmainham Gaol as a working prison may have been closed, but it is now a symbol of Ireland’s painful past.

In 1958, the Kilmainham Gaol Restoration Society was formed. In the 1960s, restorative work was done by a team of dedicated volunteers before the Irish government took over.

In 1971, Kilmainham Gaol reopened as a museum. During the centenary of the 1916 Uprising in 2016, Ireland’s  Office of Public Works invested €5 million in refurbishing the site.

Today, Kilmainham is one of the most visited places in Ireland.  It offers guided tours where guests get to see detailed exhibitions about the political and penal history of the prison.

All the restorative work done on Kilmainham are also featured in this exhibition.

There’s also a fascinating feature on the history of Irish Nationalism.  This part includes some of the last words and graffiti (written in prison walk) of the executed leaders of the 1916 rebellion.

Apart from the guided tour, today’s Kilmainham also has a tea shop and a museum that spans three floors. Meanwhile, access to the prison is limited and is only allowed during guided tours.

Visitors Information for Kilmainham Gaol

Opening times.

Kilmainham Gaol Museum is open all year round, except the 24th, 25th, and 26th of December

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   9:00 – 19:00 (last admission  at 17:45)

September   9:00 – 18:00 (last admission at 16:45)

Admission Fee

Online prices – Adult €8, Senior €6, Child/Student €4 and Family €20. Walk-up prices* – Adult €9, Senior €7, Child/Student €5 and Family €23

Contact Information

Address: Kilmainham Gaol Museum Visitor Centre, Kilmainham Courthouse, Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, Ireland. D08 RK28

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +353 1 4535984

Kilmainham Gaol Tours

If you want to join tours, below are our recommended hop-on hop-off bus tours to Kilmainham Gaol. 

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. I also lived in 3 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.

7 days Ireland Itinerary Tips And Guide - Ireland Travel Guides

Sunday 19th of September 2021

[…] Kilmainham Gaol is quite far from the airport but if you have more time before your flight, you can check this historic museum prison in Dublin.  There is a guided tour that starts at the prison’s chapel and ends in a museum that features items that once belonged to the prisoners. […]

3 Days in Dublin: Itinerary With Maps and Tips - Ireland Travel Guides

[…] Kilmainham Gaol or jail/prison is a huge symbol of the tradition of militant and constitutional nationalism of […]

Ireland Bucket List: 50+ Top Things To Do In Ireland For 2021 - Ireland Travel Guides

Friday 17th of September 2021

[…] years old building has a soul of its own and you can feel it in the chapels, cells, and grounds of Kilmainham Gaol. The museum gives a deep insight into the struggle that the country had to go through in the […]

30 Best Things To Do In Dublin, Ireland  - Ireland Travel Guides

[…] you think that visiting a mummy is not creepy enough? Then go ahead and add the Kilmainham Gaol in your things to do in Dublin. The Kilmainham Gaol used to be a place for executions and public […]

Tuesday 21st of April 2020

Hey!This is my first commeht here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading your blog posts. Thanks for Kilmainham gaol write up.

Kilmainham Gaol Museum

• Suir Road • 8 min walk

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Kilmainham Gaol Museum, Dublin

• (0.10 km) Hilton Dublin Kilmainham
• (1.32 km) Ashling Hotel Dublin
• (0.59 km) Portland House
• (2.41 km) Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin
• (1.86 km) easyHotel Dublin City Centre
• (0.13 km) La Dolce Vita
• (0.12 km) The Patriots Inn
• (0.09 km) Broyage Bar & Bistro
• (0.15 km) The Glen of Aherlow - Donoghue's
• (0.17 km) Four Star Pizza
• (0.03 km) The Proclamation Sculpture
• (0.06 km) Dublin Food Co-op
• (0.26 km) Withlocals.com Private Tours in Dublin
• (0.26 km) Kilmainham Gaol
• (0.47 km) War Memorial Gardens

Are you sure you want to sure you want to leave the feed?

Oops... something went wrong!

Looking for inspiration? Planning a trip? Or just want to scroll yourself happy? We'll show you an Ireland that's tailor-made for you.

• #Landscapes
• #CultureandHeritage
• #OutdoorActivities

Oops, no internet connection

While offline, you can still add items to ‘My Board’. New travel reccomendations will only show up once you’re back online.

See what Ireland has in store for you

Items without a physical location are not shown in map view.

Looks like your board is empty

Look out for the little heart icon around Ireland.com, simply tap the icon to start adding items to your board!

Board settings

Collection cover image.

Visible to people you share your board with

Share Board

Share a link to your ‘My Ireland’ board and inspire friends, co-travellers and family. Only you can add or remove items from your board.

Forgot your password?

Create an account.

Access My Ireland across all of your devices by logging in.

Sign up Not got an account?

Terms of use | Privacy policy

Login Got an account?

Location access

• View offers and deals nearby you
• Get travel inspiration based on your location
• Local weather warnings and useful travel information

Enable location access

Location access on ios.

• 1 Open the website settings for this website in your browser
• 2 Select Location settings
• 3 Choose “Allow
• 1 Open the My Ireland website

• 2 Select the Icon below

• 3 Select “Website Settings

• 4 Change “Location” to “Allow”

Notifications

Travel times.

Tell us when you are going to be travelling Ireland, and we will show you tailored recommendations for the duration of your trip.

• Tips for events happening during your stay
• Helpful travel reminders and updates

You have unsaved changes. Save before leaving?

We take your privacy very serious and only ever process your data with your persmission. If possible this is handled anonymously and we will never store your data for longer than is required. For more information on how we handle your personal data please read our Privacy Policy.

Remove Data

To securely remove all data associated with your profile please contact our Data Protection Officer.

Reset your Board

This will remove all the items you have previously liked from your board. Please note, you can’t undo this action.

Are you sure you want to reset your board?

This will completely reset your board and all associated data permanently. This cannot be undone.

• Created date 19 July 2023

Delete account

Sorry you’re leaving. But you gotta do what you gotta do. Just a reminder, if you delete your account, you won’t be able to post in Community. And it’s permanent so you can’t “undo” it in the future.

Kilmainham Gaol

• #HistoricIreland

Ireland in your inbox

Sign up to receive free email newsletters from Tourism Ireland, including vacation ideas, insider tips, news, and events.

We will use your email address to send you personalised content straight to your inbox based on how you interact with this website and our advertisements on other websites.

Something went wrong...

Success! Thank you for subscribing to our Newsletter!

I understand that by signing up, I will receive personalised email content based on my use of Tourism Ireland’s website, emails and Tourism Ireland’s advertising on other websites, cookies and tracking pixels. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking 'unsubscribe' in our emails. Find out more information on "How we handle your personal data" in our privacy policy .

I would like to receive information and special offers by email from carefully selected travel partners. For more information please see our privacy policy .

Even though it has been closed to prisoners for nearly 100 years, approaching the grey bulk of Kilmainham Gaol still sends a shiver down the spine.

It opened in 1796 as the County Gaol for Dublin,  but it was also used to hold political prisoners during Ireland’s struggle for independence. It closed in 1924, but by then had witnessed many key political events, and housed some icons of Irish history.

In fact, Kilmainham almost didn’t survive at all; the memories were just too painful. Luckily, some far-sighted historians argued its case and Kilmainham Gaol was saved. Now this powerful and absorbing place is one of the most popular sights in Dublin – so popular that you should book your tour in advance.

Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin city

The history of modern Ireland is soaked into the walls of Kilmainham. Political prisoners were kept here (and sometimes executed, too) from the rebellion of 1798 to the Irish Civil War of 1922-23. Beside them were thousands of ordinary people from all over Ireland, jailed for all sorts of crimes and waiting to be transported to Australia.

These poor souls were held in one of two wings. The older one, the West Wing, survives in its original state, and it still has the power to chill to the bone. This was home to political prisoners and the poorest criminals – often jailed for stealing food during the Famine – and life was hard.

Kilmainham was also a debtors’ prison, and stuffed full to bursting after the Great Famine. National Geographic

The East Wing is light-filled and airy by comparison – but by no means luxurious. Its metal walkways and clanging cell doors are a classic jail set-up where guards can watch inmates at all time. Perhaps it looks familiar? That’s because you’ll have seen it in many films – In the Name of the Father, Michael Collins, even Paddington 2.

You’d think that going outside would come as a relief, but the Stonebreakers’ Yard gave little respite. Here the male prisoners sentenced to hard labour would toil, breaking stones. Bleaker still, it was here that the leaders of the Easter Rising were executed in 1916.

The enthusiastic guides provide a thought-provoking tour of the eerie prison, the largest unoccupied building of its kind in Europe. Lonely Planet

For the prisoners’ spiritual refreshment there were two chapels, one Catholic and one Protestant, but even here tragedy lurks. It was in the Catholic chapel that Joseph Plunkett, a leader of the Easter Rising, married his fiancée Grace Gifford just hours before execution.

L-R: The East Wing; exterior of Kilmainham Gaol; outside the gaol with the gates of the Royal Hospital (Irish Museum of Modern Art) in the background; the courtyard of the gaol

Nowadays, the Gaol has a more hopeful air – and not just because you’re allowed to leave! On the top floor you’ll find exhibitions linked to the world’s political prisoners; recent examples include a display on Nelson Mandela, and another about the struggles of the suffragette movement.

Step out into the fresh air again, overlooking Phoenix Park  and Dublin, and take a deep breath. Nearby, you’ll find the Royal Hospital , home to the Irish Museum of Modern Art , or you can remember the spirits of the past while enjoying coffee in the more contemporary surrounds of the Loaf Café Kilmainham or Storyboard in Islandbridge.

Dublin highlights

Don't miss these things to see and do

Dublin: coastal towns and villages

Dublin’s prettiest villages with quaint shops, beautiful scenery and more.

5 tales of terror from Ireland's Ancient East

Discover the stories behind the most haunted dwellings in Ireland's Ancient East.

Dublin Castle

Historical Walking Tours Of Dublin

The Brazen Head

1916 Rebellion Walking Tours

Discover adventure in Dublin

Bracing swims, city kayaking and cycling trails: explore Dublin's adventurous side!

Dublin city: top attractions

First time in Dublin? Here are some uniquely Dublin attractions you shouldn’t miss.

Dublin City

The 1916 Rising was the most dramatic event in the history of Ireland's struggle for independence. Authors and historians will walk you to the sites of the Rising explaining the events of the revolutionary period.

• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Solo Location Guides
• Solo Travel Advice
• Solo Inspiration
• Luxury travel

DESTINATIONS , EUROPE , IRELAND

Visiting kilmainham gaol, dublin: birthplace of modern ireland.

Pat, our Kilmainham Gaol tour guide, pointed towards the damp tricolour, animated by gusts of bitter March wind whipping across the Stonebreakers’ Yard.

“Green is the colour of the Republic,” he explained. “Orange symbolises the Protestants and white represents the hope for a lasting peace between the two cultures in Ireland. This is the birthplace of modern Ireland”

Visiting Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin – Europe’s largest unoccupied prison – is a journey into Irish Republican history.

This national monument is the site of the incarceration and execution of some of those who fought for Irish freedom, most famously the key players of the 1916 Easter Rising. This is their story and the dominant narrative running through a tour of this Dublin jail.

IN THIS ARTICLE

Kilmainham Gaol Tour & its History

The great famine.

When Kilmainham first opened its doors in 1796 as the  county gaol for Dublin , it was conceived as a new reform prison, advocating and fostering reform through a harsh regime of discipline and fear.

Conditions were grim. Up to five prisoners were incarcerated in one cell, just 28 sq. meters in size, with a single candle as the only source of heat and lighting. The windows lining the narrow corridor had no glass, granting the cells’ inhabitants the benefits of  ‘therapeutic’ fresh air. 

These early prisoners included women, who were incarcerated at Kilmainham Gaol until it became an all-male prison in 1851. Children too. Arrested for petty theft, the youngest reported prisoner was seven years old. 

The Great Famine (1845 – 1849), which was caused by the blight of the potato crop, increased overcrowding at Kilmainham Gaol. The potato was the staple diet of the Irish people and, rather than die of starvation or an associated illness, some people resorted to deliberate incarceration in the quest for free food. Prison catering depended on the class of prisoner, but a typical meal comprised oatmeal, bread and milk.

Overcrowding was amplified by the  Vagrancy Act  of 1847. Intended to rid the streets of the unwashed poor, it resulted in swamping the gaol with those arrested for begging.  

Kilmainham Gaol & the fight for Irish independence

Kilmainham Gaol is better known for – and is symbolic of – the fight for  Irish independence . The leading figures in every rebellion against British rule since 1798 have been detained here. 

Henry Joy Mc Cracken , imprisoned in 1796, holds the distinction of being the first in a long list of political prisoners to have been incarcerated in Kilmainham Gaol. Seven years later, in 1803,  Robert Emmet ’s failed rebellion against British rule led to his incarceration and public hanging. His speech from the dock threw down the gauntlet to future generations of Irish nationalists:

When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then and not till then, let my epitaph be written Robert Emmett

Robert Emmet’s death mask can be seen in Kilmainham Gaol Museum.

The 1916 Easter Rising

The most significant rebellion against British rule, particularly in symbolic terms, was the 1916 Easter Rising, whose leaders were incarcerated in Kilmainham Gaol’s so-called  1916 corridor .

On 24 th  April 1916 (Easter Monday),  Patrick Pearse  read out a proclamation from the steps of the General Post Office (GPO), declaring Ireland to be an independent republic. Over the next six days, around 1550 men under the command of Pearse, and a further 220 led by  James Connolly  of the Irish Citizen Army, seized control of strategic buildings in central Dublin.

Hopelessly outnumbered by around 20,000 British soldiers and facing overwhelming odds, the rebels eventually surrendered. 97 rebels were condemned to death under martial law imposed by the British Army. Fourteen of these were executed by firing squad in the  Stonebreakers’ Yard  at Kilmainham Gaol. 

Poets and teachers and dreamers

The fighters of the 1916 Rising have been cast into the roles of romantic heroes, seeking Ireland’s freedom through self-sacrifice. In the words of Pat, our Kilmainham Gaol tour guide:

These were not military men. They were poets and teachers, men and women, dreaming of a new Ireland

Take  Countess Constance Markiewicz,  who hailed from an Anglo-Irish family in County Sligo and was married to a Polish Count. She became involved in the Irish Cultural Movement and took part in The Easter Rising as a member of the Irish Citizen Army.

Her death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment and she was transferred to Aylesbury Prison in England. On her release in 1917, as part of a late amnesty, she became the first woman to be elected to the House of Commons.

However, Countess Markiewicz never took up her seat. Instead, in 1919 she established an Irish political assembly, Dáil Éireann, with similarly elected compatriots.

Some of these rebel leaders left behind wives and children.

Countess Markiewicz’s commander,  Michael Mallin , was not spared the death sentence. Executed by firing squad, he left behind a pregnant wife and four children. 

Joseph Plunkett  was another leader of the 1916 Easter Rising. Seven hours before his execution, he married his fiancée,  Grace Gifford , in the prison chapel. Two British soldiers acted as witnesses.

After the ceremony, he was taken back to his cell, leaving his new wife behind. Grace never remarried.  

East Wing of Kilmainham Gaol

Leaving the Easter Rising and the 1916 corridor, we reach the  East Wing  of Kilmainham Gaol.

The Victorian era was the golden age of prison building and their design was underpinned by two principles: separation and inspection. The separation of prisoners broke up communities of corruption and vice, leaving an isolated inmate exposed solely to the reforming influence of prison staff. Inspection allowed prison guards a greater level of oversight.

In 1861, Kilmainham Gaol was extended and modelled on these principles.

Echoing  Jeremy Bentham’s Panopticon  – “the all-seeing eye” – prison guards could keep watch on all prisoners incarcerated in 96 single cells.  The narrow corridors were gone and in their place were catwalks in a vaulted space with an enormous skylight. 

The fate of Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol finally closed its doors in 1924.  Éamon de Valera , who would go on to be the president of Ireland, was one of its last prisoners.

For many years, the building was left to fall into ruin, shutting its doors on a painful period of Irish history. But time heals, and in 1960 a Board of Trustees was established to restore the gaol as a national monument.

Today, Kilmainham Gaol is also used extensively as a  filming location .  In The Name of The Father, Michael Collins, The Italian Job  (one of the best movies set in Italy ) and, more recently,  Paddington 2  are among the films that have been shot there.

And Dublin’s favourite sons, U2, shot their 1982 single  A Celebration  here.

The legacy of the Easter Rising

Visiting Kilmainham Gaol leaves you in no doubt of the self-sacrifice of the rebels, whose actions were a turning point in the birth of modern Ireland.  In particular, the 1916 Easter Rising had a profound effect on Irish history and is embedded into the national psyche of its people, amongst whom I count myself.

However, the Easter Rising has its critics.

It left a 10-month war of independence and a brutal civil war in its wake. And it is sobering that violence succeeded where politics had failed.

Although a political outlier, John Bruton, the former Irish Taoiseach, suggested the Easter Rising had “damaged the Irish psyche” and “led directly to the violence experienced subsequently”, arguing that the events of 1916 have been used to justify violence in later years. Some critics argue that the rebels had no democratic mandate.

However, equally, the British did not have a democratic mandate to govern Ireland, maintaining control by force.

For its part, the UK has never apologised for the actions of its army in quashing the uprising.

How to Get to Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol is located on Inchicore Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 RK28. The entrance is through the former Kilmainham Courthouse.

Kilmainham Gaol is a 15 – 20 minute walk from Dublin Heuston mainline station. The route is clearly signposted. It is served by the Luas Red Line. The nearest stop is Suir Road. Dublin Bus routes: no. 60 from Wellington Quay or Heuston Station, G1/G2 from Spencer Dock or Wellington Quay stop close by. Kilmainham Gaol does not have a car park . Parking is available at the nearby Irish Museum of Modern Art/Royal Hospital Kilmainham. From here, it is a five-minute walk to the Gaol via West Avenue and Richmond Gate.

Kilmainham Gaol Tours and Tickets

The gaol is open for visit by guided tour only. Your ticket includes admission to the museum.

You can visit Kilmainham Gaol throughout the year. Opening hours are seasonal which you can check here . As this is a popular attraction, I strongly recommend pre-booking online to avoid disappointment. Tickets can be booked  28 days in advance . Cancellation tickets for the day are released online every morning between 9:15 am-9:30 am.

Tips for Visiting Kilmainham Gaol

• The tour of Kilmainham Gaol takes around one hour. I highly recommend setting aside a further hour to visit the museum, which is adjacent to the gaol and is arranged on three levels.
• No food or drink, except still water, is permitted. Gum chewing is also prohibited.
• Photography is allowed throughout the tour but video and audio recordings are not permitted
• Dress warmly. Parts of the tour take place outdoors but it can also be cold inside the gaol.

Is Kilmainham Gaol Worth Visiting?

Visiting Kilmainham Gaol is a moving and evocative experience. Its tour is highly informative, and the stories told are haunting, from those of famous political leaders to those of ordinary citizens. As a journey through Irish history, a Kilmainham Gaol tour is hard to beat.

About Bridget

Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at [email protected] or follow her on social media.

• Top Attractions

Tourist Attractions

Kilmainham gaol.

Established in 1796, Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison in Dublin where numerous revolutionaries were locked up and executed.

Kilmainham Gaol continues to be an iconic symbol for most of the Irish population , as a symbol of their rebellion against British domination.

Life in Kilmainham Gaol

All types of prisoners were imprisoned at Kilmainham prison, including women, men and small children accused of robbery. The damp, cold and dark cells were only lit up and heated by a small candle.

When the Irish Potato Famine hit the country in 1845, thousands of people stole food to survive and this deteriorated the conditions in the jails, since the cells were packed with people. Nevertheless, many preferred to stay in prison than being free and starve to death .

The Irish Free State closed the Gaol in 1924, previously releasing Éamon de Valera, who years later would become President of Ireland.

Guided tour

The guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol starts off at the prison’s chapel, where Joseph Plunkett married Grace Gifford shortly before being executed for participating in the Easter Rising.

Next, follow your guide to visit the cells, still gloomy and dank and continue to the patio where the prisoners were executed . Once the guided tour comes to an end, you can visit the museum that features various objects that once belonged to the prisoners.

Indispensable 

Kilmainham Gaol remains a historic building, a symbol of years of brutality and suffering . In our opinion, visiting the Gaol is an interesting way to explore Ireland’s history.

The entrance ticket includes a 1-hour guided tour.

Inchicore road 8.

Every day from 9:30 am - 5 pm (depending on the month, the closing time may be slightly later).

Adults: € 8 ( US$ 8.50) Over 60s: € 6 ( US$ 6.40) Students and children 12 - 17: € 4 ( US$ 4.30) Children under 12: Free

Buses:  Old Kilmainham , lines 78A and 206;  Emmet Rd. (Kilmainham Cross) , lines 51B, 51C, 78A and 206. 

Nearby places

Irish Museum of Modern Art (657 m) Guinness Storehouse (1.5 km) Decorative Arts & History Museum (1.8 km) Phoenix Park (2.1 km) Jameson Distillery Bow St (2.3 km)

You may also be interested in

Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness Storehouse was initially built as a fermentation plant for St. James’ Gate Brewery in 1904. In 1988 it was closed, and a decade later, in 2000, it was transformed into a seven-floor storehouse open to the general public.

Take a few days to discover Ireland’s capital, famous for its Georgian architectural elements, its famous black lager available in its numerous pubs and bars, and explore its most-visited monuments such as Trinity College, Temple Bar, etc.

• Dublin Tourism
• Dublin Vacation Rentals
• Dublin Photos
• All Dublin Hotels
• Dublin Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Dublin
• Dublin Campgrounds
• Dublin Hostels
• Dublin Business Hotels
• Dublin Green Hotels
• Dublin Family Hotels
• Romantic Hotels in Dublin
• Dublin Luxury Hotels
• Dublin Spa Resorts
• 5-stars Hotels in Dublin
• 4-stars Hotels in Dublin
• 3-stars Hotels in Dublin
• Sonder Hotels in Dublin
• Preferred Hotels & Resorts in Dublin
• Autograph Collection (Marriott Bonvoy) Hotels in Dublin
• Maldron Hotels in Dublin
• Travelodge Hotels Ltd in Dublin
• Leonardo Hotels in Dublin
• Clayton Hotels in Dublin
• Hilton Hotels in Dublin
• Marriott Hotels in Dublin
• Wyndham Hotels in Dublin
• InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in Dublin
• The Leading Hotels Of The World in Dublin
• Dublin Hotels with Pools
• Pet Friendly Hotels in Dublin
• Dublin Hotels with Free Parking
• South City Centre Hotels
• North City Centre Hotels
• Temple Bar Hotels
• Kilmainham Hotels
• Rathfarnham Hotels
• Boutique Hotels in Dublin
• Dublin Cheap Hotels
• Suite Hotels in Dublin
• Cheap Dublin Hostels
• Dublin Downtown Hotels
• Hotels with Shuttle in Dublin
• Dublin Cheap Pet Friendly Hotels
• Dublin Hot Tub Suite Hotels
• Dublin Luxury Lodges
• All Inclusive Hotels in Dublin
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

How long is the tour?

• Europe    
• Ireland    
• Province of Leinster    
• County Dublin    
• Dublin    
• Things to Do in Dublin    
• Kilmainham Gaol Museum

Kilmainham Gaol Museum Questions & Answers

The tour was approximately an hour. Included a short history lesson about the place and people who have been there. After that there was a tour inside the building and also at the outside area.

About 90 minutes.

Both answers below are correct, the guided part lasts 45 minutes, then my family spent another 45 min. in the museum. It's the guided part you have to reserve in advance online, either print your own tickets or save them as a PDF on your phone, the staff will then print them from your phone in a little anteroom before everybody gathers for the guided tour.

The wait is because the tour is very good! (Seems funny, for a jail!) I swore our guide was in the theater, but he was a recently retired accountant--exuberant and entertaining! Again, I highly recommend this experience above any other in Dublin, except maybe some of the pubs.

The tour was an hour, but filled with so much information and things to see! It is well worth the 7 euros!

About 90 minutes

Thanks everyone. Will definitely add this to my trip.

Browse nearby

Ask a question.

Get quick answers from Kilmainham Gaol Museum staff and past visitors.

• Private Tours

Private Tour

Easy access – kilmainham gaol, war & revolution tour.

• Instant Confirmation
• 24 Hour Cancellation
• Explore and experience Irish history during an entertaining and engaging walking tour of Kilmainham Gaol, unchanged since 1924.
• Enjoyed Timed Entry tickets to Kilmainham Jail.
• Visit The Irish National War Memorial Gardens dedicated to the memory of the Irish soldiers who gave their lives in WWI.
• Experience what life was like during the many Irish uprisings and WWI & WWII in Ireland
• Hear about the historical events that changed the course of Irish history from the 13th century to the present day
• Visit the actual prison cells and execution site of the Leaders of the 1916 Uprising
• Enjoy the most extraordinary tour led by an expert local English- speaking guide
• Small groups of 20 people or fewer

Description

Learn about some of the most important events in Irish history and hear stories of great personal sacrifice and triumph on our extraordinary Kilmainham Gaol, War and Revolution Tour. We combine a fully guided Kilmainham Gaol tour with a fully guided visit to The Irish National War Memorial Gardens, dedicated to the memory of Irish soldiers who gave their lives in the Great War of WWI. With an expert guide on hand throughout (specially chosen for their knowledge and passion of this fascinating period in Irish history), you’ll discover how the Irish were governed for over 700 years by the English and the ensuing political and revolutionary events that’s shaped the Ireland of today. Travel through time to really understand the political heart of the Irish people and its leaders including Michael Collins played by Liam Neeson in the movie of the same name that was also filmed in part at Kilmainham Gaol.

The tour begins with a guided walking tour of Kilmainham Gaol to discover its fascinating history and the role it played in rallying the Irish people to pursue independence from Great Britain and Westminster. Once inside the jail you’ll discover its dark history while walking in the footsteps of many of its many inmates, including; men, women and children. Explore Irish and English politics while your professional and engaging OPW Kilmainham Gaol guide tells you about some of its more famous inmates including the Leaders of the 1916 Rising, not only men but women too including Countess Markievicz an Irish politician, revolutionary, nationalist, suffragette and socialist who was imprisoned in Kilmainham Gaol awaiting execution as a result of her participation in the 1916 Rising. You’ll see and visit some of the cells of its most famous inmates as well as some of its youngest.

With small groups of only 20 people or fewer, our Kilmainham Gaol, War & Revolution Tour will be personal and unhurried, with a passionate and friendly guide. Walk over history while discovering the main places and players that shaped the Ireland of today.

Finally, you will also enjoy the Gaol’s film history where the following movies were filmed;

The Italian Job, The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, The Babe, Michael Collins, In the Name of the Father

Good to Know

• Tour includes €8 ticket for timed entry to The Gaol.
• This tour is led by an expert local English speaking guide, with the Official Kilmainham Gaol tour conducted by an OPW Kilmainham Jail Guide.
• Experience over 200 years of Irish history dramatized in extraordinary guide stories.
• See a fascinating audio visual show detailing the history of this significant building.
• Visit & see the actual prison cells of the largest preserved Victorian jail in Europe.
• Visit the execution site of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rebellion.
• Walk the narrow cell corridors that have strong connections to the Irish struggle for independence.
• Entrance and fully guided tour of the Irish National War Memorial Gardens.
• See the banks of the River Liffey which witnessed the very first landing of the 9th Century Viking invasions.
• Dublin Bus Routes:  No’s 69, 79 from Aston Quay, Dublin 2. No’s 13 & 40 from O’Connell St, Dublin 1, or College Green Dublin 2. Check the Dublin Bus website for updated information.
• Luas Tram:  Red Line – Nearest stop is Suir Road. Check the Luas website for updated information.
• Car Parking:  Kilmainham Gaol has no car parking facilities. Parking may be available at the nearby Irish Museum of Modern Art/Royal Hospital Kilmainham – access via East Gate, Military Road. Allow 5-10 minute to walk from the car park to the Gaol via West Avenue and Richmond Gate.

LetzGo City Tours is an exciting, innovative tour company offering extraordinary premium group tours of some of the most exciting cities of the world.

Ireland:   +353 (01) 254 8650

UK:   +44 (0) 20 3769 4233

Email:   [email protected]

LetzGo City Tours is not responsible for content on external Web sites or links.

<break>