Kilmainham Gaol is a former British prison, now open to the public. It houses the history museum of the Irish struggle for independence. The art gallery on the top floor shows paintings, sculptures and jewelery of prisoners currently held in various prisons throughout Ireland.
When the prison was built in 1796, it was called "New Gaol" to distinguish it from the old prison, ie the dungeon, only a few hundred meters from the present site. There was no segregation of prisoners here; men, women, and children were put together in cells, with up to 5 people each. Sometimes even children arrested for petty theft were sent here, the youngest was 7 years old. Later, many Irish revolutionaries, including the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, were imprisoned here and executed by British authorities.
In the prison, scenes for such films as "In the Name of the Father" and "The Boston Saints" were shot. There was also a music video for the song "Celebration" by U2.
Attractions inside
