Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin

Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison that now serves as a museum in Dublin. Its history reaches back to 1796, when it opened as the County of Dublin Gaol. This place is especially bound to the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising: Patrick Pearse, James Connolly, Tom Clarke, Seán Mac Diarmada, Joseph Plunkett, Éamonn Ceannt and Thomas MacDonagh were held here and executed by order of the UK Government.

The prison’s hardship was not limited to political prisoners. Men, women and children could share cells, with as many as 5 people in a space of roughly 28 square metres, warmed and lit by a single candle that had to last for two weeks. Children could be arrested for petty theft, and many adult prisoners were transported to Australia.

After the prison closed in 1924, the building fell into ruin. A volunteer restoration movement began in 1958, led by Lorcan C.G. Leonard and fellow preservationists.

Sixty volunteers began clearing the site in 1960, and the restored Victorian section opened to the public on 10 April 1966. The museum you see today grew from that determined community effort.