Visiting Kilmainham Gaol
Built in 1796 Kilmainham Gaol has over 140 years of history with the cells in the Jail holding some of Ireland's rebels from the fight for Irish independence.
Leaders included those of the 1916 Easter Rising with each one being held and executed in the court yard of the jail.
After Ireland's independence in 1924 Kilmainham Gaol shut its doors and no longer served as a prison house. Today it has been fully restored and is now open as a museum of Irish nationalism. The story behind Kilmainham is that of a sad one and has remained an important location for Irish history. Guided tours are available with a gallary exhinit of belongings to ex prisoners.
Inside the jail is Kilmainham chapel, the location where Joseph Plunkett wedded his wife, Grace Gifford, on the eve of his execution.
A number of famous movies have been filmed inside the walls of Kilmainham jail including, The Italian Job, In the Name of the Father, Michael Collins, and Boondock Saints.
Getting to Kilmainham
The gaol is 5 minutes from Dublin City centre on a bus, located in the Inchicore area. For those interested in walking to the jail museum this would take 15-30 minutes from the city centre. For those taking the Dublin Bus you can catch the 51, 51B, 78A, 79 and the 79A from along Aston Quay.
Map of Kilmainham Gaol Dublin
Opening Hours
April-September: 9.30am-5pm daily
October-March: Monday to Saturday 9.30am-4pm, Sundays 10am-5pm.
Pricing
Adults: €5.30
Senior or Group: €3.70
Family €11.50
Children/ Students: €2.10
Other Dublin Attractions
- Dublin Castle
- National Museum of Ireland
- O Connell Street
- St James Gate - Guinness Storehouse
- Trinity College
- Dublin Four Courts
- Ha'penny Bridge