Kilmainham Gaol
Príosún Chill Mhaighneann
A former prison that bears witness to Ireland's independence struggle. The leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed here, and it has served as a filming location for several films.
Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 and closed in 1924. It held many revolutionaries, from the 1798 Rebellion through the Irish Civil War. The most harrowing episode came after the 1916 Easter Rising, when 14 leaders were executed by firing squad in the Stonebreakers' Yard. The badly wounded James Connolly was shot while tied to a chair, an event that decisively turned Irish public opinion. Visits are by guided tour only, lasting about an hour. The tour covers the dark cells of the old West Wing, the Victorian “panopticon” hall of the East Wing (built in 1861, an open three-tier gallery where films such as The Italian Job and In the Name of the Father were shot), and the execution yard. Afterwards you can explore the museum at your own pace. Tickets cost about EUR 8 and places are limited, often selling out one to two weeks in advance, so book on the official website. From the city centre, take the Luas Red Line to Suir Road or bus 13 or 40. You can combine a visit with the Guinness Storehouse on the same day.
Opening hours
Daily approx. 09:30–17:30 (guided tours only; reservation required)
Nearby sights
- Irish Museum of Modern Art
- Dublin Zoo
- Guinness Storehouse
- Phoenix Park
- Jameson Distillery Bow St.
- Christ Church Cathedral
- St Patrick's Cathedral
- Dublin Castle