Cork City Gaol
Príosún Cathrach Chorcaí
A 19th-century prison that looks like a castle, with wax figures re-creating prisoners' lives in the cells and a radio museum upstairs.
Cork City Gaol was built in 1824 and looks like a castle. It held both male and female prisoners, and during the Irish War of Independence it also held Republicans, including the writer Frank O'Connor, who later became famous. Today the cells use wax figures and audio guides to re-create the lives of 19th-century prisoners and warders, and graffiti left by prisoners can still be seen on the walls. Upstairs is a radio museum displaying early Irish broadcasting equipment. Admission is about 12 euros, and it is open roughly 9:30 to 17:00. It is located in the Sunday's Well area on the west side of the city, about a 25-minute walk from the city centre.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- Fitzgerald's Park
- University College Cork
- Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral
- Elizabeth Fort
- Cork Butter Museum
- St Anne's Church, Shandon (Shandon Bells)
- English Market
- Crawford Art Gallery