Kilmainham Gaol
Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin, Dublin, D08 RK28
Closed to prisoners for more than a century, this formidable looking ex-jail in Dublin is now a museum that offers a walkthrough of modern Irish history. Visitors can learn about the common prisoners, jailed for stealing food during the Great Famine, along with political prisoners who spanned events from the late 18th-century rebellions, to the Easter Rising, to the Irish Civil War. There’s also an exhibition of political prisoner stories from around the world.
The basics
Once one of Europe’s largest jails, Kilmainham Gaol and its bleak, echoing interior transports visitors to a time of Irish political upheaval. Take a guided tour of the gaol to learn about the prison’s history, gain valuable insight into the experiences of prisoners who were once held here, and peruse onsite exhibits detailing Irish history and the country’s long fight for independence from Britain—including the 1916 Easter Rising revolt in which 14 political prisoners were executed at the gaol. With the prison’s tumultuous past, it’s no wonder Kilmainham Gaol has featured in numerous ghost stories over the years—hear tales of the gaol’s resident hauntings and visit other creepy sites on a Dublin ghost tour. Or, visit Kilmainham Gaol on a hop-on hop-off bus tour to also see other city highlights such as the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.
Things to know before you go
Kilmainham Gaol is by guided tour only; visitors should arrive 15 minutes before their tour is scheduled to start.
A café is located on the first floor, near the museum entrance.
The ground floor of Kilmainham Gaol is wheelchair accessible; tours for limited-mobility visitors must be arranged in advance.
How to get there
Kilmainham Gaol is located on Inchicore Road, roughly 20 minutes by road from central Dublin. The site does not have a dedicated public parking lot, but parking is available at the nearby Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA). The gaol is also accessible via Dublin’s public bus system and the Luas tram.
When to get there
The museum is open year-round, except December 24–25. Summer is the busiest time to visit, when visitors may experience long wait times. To avoid waiting, pre-book your Kilmainham Gaol tickets and opt for an early morning or weekday visit. Winter visitors should dress warmly; Kilmainham Gaol is not heated and can be very cold.
Movies filmed at Kilmainham Gaol
Film buffs will recognize the exterior of Kilmainham Gaol from movies such as The Italian Job (1969), The Adventures of the Young Indiana Jones (2000), and The Babe (1992). The jail’s interior was featured in Michael Collins (1996), starring Liam Neeson, and In the Name of the Father (1993), starring Daniel Day-Lewis.
Ways to explore
If you want to step inside the jail and explore its exhibitions, you must buy a ticket directly from Kilmainham Gaol, either online via the site’s official website or in-person from the ticket office. Entry covers an hour-long guided tour, led by one of the prison’s tour guides.
Tours are popular, and regularly sell out in advance. If that happens when you want to visit, check out other history-focused walking tours or hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours where information can be shared about the site as you pass by.
Accessibility
Ground-floor tours are available for wheelchair users and visitors with reduced mobility
Age limits
Unsuitable for children under the age of six. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
What to pack
Small backpack, paper tickets or e-tickets
What to wear
Warm layers as the site is often cold, especially in the winter
Not allowed
Strollers, large luggage items
Amenities
Café, souvenir shop, restrooms
Address
Kilmainham Gaol is in Dublin 8, a neighborhood just west of the city center. Within walking distance, you’ll find the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) and a historic graveyard known as Bully’s Acre.
Driving
If you can, skip driving in central Dublin to avoid clogging up the roads. Kilmainham Gaol has no car park; however, visitors can use the car park at the nearby IMMA. Use the East Gate entrance on Military Road.
Public transportation
Kilmainham Gaol is near the city center, and there are regular buses to the neighborhood. Take bus route #60 from Wellington Quay or Heuston Station, or #G1 or #G2 from Wellington Quay or Spencer Dock. Ask the driver where to hop off. Alternatively, take a red line tram to Suir Road.
Best times to visit
The early tours, just as the site opens, are the quietest and most available options to book.
Best days to visit
Midweek days are less busy than weekends, especially in peak season such as during the Ireland school vacation breaks.
Best months to visit
In winter, there are slightly reduced opening hours, so if you want greater flexibility and warmer temperatures, the summer months are ideal. Just be sure to book in advance to secure a tour on your preferred day.
Special events
None.
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