Kilmainham Gaol
Miguel B
Did you know that there's an old prison in Dublin?
Located close to Phoenix Park, in Inchicore, there's Kilmainham Gaol ('gaol' meaning 'jail' in modern English).
Kilmainham Gaol was founded in 1796 and it operated as a prison until 1924. During its long history, the prison contained criminals, women and children, and also political prisoners. During the famine, some people committed crimes in order to be admitted into the prison, where they received at least a basic diet. The prison was so crowded at the time (with 5 or more prisoners incarcerated in tiny cold cells) that some prisoners had to sleep in the corridors.
Among the prisoners were political leaders like Charles Stuart Parnell (do you recognise Parnell Street in Dublin?) or James Connolly (what about Connolly Station?). Some of these politicians were executed in the jail's yard.
A few films have been shot in this prison, including In The Name of the Father and The Wind That Shakes The Barley. The Dublin rock band U2 also filmed a music video in the jail.
Nowadays, the prison is one of the most interesting historical attractions in Dublin and it can be visited with a guided tour. You will see more information in the following link, enjoy!
