About Kilmainham Gaol Museum

The Building

Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 as the new County Gaol for Dublin. Designed by architect John Trail, it was intended to replace the old gaol which was in a state of disrepair. The new building was a modern prison for its time, with separate cells for men and women, and facilities for the rehabilitation of prisoners.

The gaol was built in a cruciform shape, with four wings radiating from a central hall. The East Wing, completed in 1862, was designed to hold political prisoners in isolation. The West Wing, completed in 1864, was designed for common criminals and had larger cells.

Prison Life

Life in Kilmainham Gaol was harsh. Prisoners were held in small, cold cells with little light or ventilation. They were given minimal food and were expected to work hard labor. Many prisoners died from disease, malnutrition, or the harsh conditions.

Women and children were also held in the gaol, often in worse conditions than the men. Children as young as seven were imprisoned alongside adults, and many died from the harsh conditions.

Political Prisoners

While most prisoners were common criminals, Kilmainham Gaol also held many political prisoners involved in Ireland's struggle for independence. Some of the most notable include:

• Robert Emmet - Leader of the 1803 rebellion, executed in 1803
• Anne Devlin - Emmet's housekeeper and supporter, held for three years
• The Fenians - Members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, held in the 1860s
• Charles Stewart Parnell - Irish nationalist leader, held in 1881
• Countess Markievicz - First woman elected to the British Parliament, held after the 1916 Rising
• The Leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising - Fourteen executed by firing squad in the Stonebreaker's yard

1916 Easter Rising

The 1916 Easter Rising was a pivotal moment in Irish history. After the Rising was suppressed, the leaders were taken to Kilmainham Gaol. Fourteen of them were executed by firing squad in the Stonebreaker's yard between May 3 and May 12, 1916.

These executions turned public opinion in favor of Irish independence and helped to galvanize support for the cause. The leaders became martyrs, and their deaths helped to inspire the War of Independence that followed.

Transportation

Many prisoners held in Kilmainham Gaol were transported to penal colonies in Australia. This was a common punishment for serious crimes, and thousands of Irish men and women were sent to Australia in the 19th century.

The gaol was also used as a holding facility for prisoners awaiting transportation, and many spent months or even years in the gaol before being sent to Australia.

1910 – 1924

During this period, Kilmainham Gaol continued to hold both common criminals and political prisoners. The gaol was overcrowded and conditions were poor. Many prisoners died from disease or the harsh conditions.

After the Irish Civil War (1922-23), the gaol was closed in 1924. It was left abandoned for many years, falling into disrepair.

Restoration

In the 1960s, a group of volunteers formed the Kilmainham Gaol Restoration Committee to preserve and restore the gaol. They worked tirelessly to restore the building to its former state, and in 1986, the gaol was handed over to the State.

Today, Kilmainham Gaol is run by the Office of Public Works and is one of Ireland's most important historical sites. It tells the story of Ireland's struggle for independence and the people who shaped Irish history.

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