The ghosts of Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol – a famous Victorian-style prison – is one of Dublin’s main tourist attractions. It is also said to be one of Ireland’s most haunted places, visited by ghosts of the many prisoners who died there.
By Juliana Correa
Dublin is a city with numerous parks and green areas to visit, especially during the summer. However, for those who are interested in the history of the Emerald Island, Kilmainham Goal is the place to go. Kilmainham Gaol was a prison, it is now unoccupied and holds daily tours. Tours for large groups, over 10 people, must be booked in advance, but for individuals or small groups it is not necessary. The address is Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8. Access to the prison is very simple, you can go by bus, LUAS or on foot, which was what I did.
Tickets can b
e bought at reception and tours are organized every 15 minutes and take around one hour. Before starting the tour, the visitor passes through a kind of museum that shows numerous events and objects from Irish history, from the years 1780 to 1920. Attractions include a major exhibition detailing the political and penal history of the prison and its restoration.
After visiting the museum, the visitor is brought on a tour of the prison with a guide who explains the history of this ve
ry interesting building. Very important people in the country were imprisoned there and the visitor can get a sense of what life was like there, you can even enter the cells. Back in the 1800s conditions in Kilmainham Gaol were terrible, and many prisoners perished there. It is said that now their ghosts haunt the place…
After the tour, visitors can have a coffee in the restaurant. It is a very interesting tour and very cheap for students, only 2 Euros. So, if you want to know more about Ireland’s history go to Kilmainham Goal.
