The East Wing
Opened in 1862 with 96 extra cells, this cast-iron and glass gallery is the building's most striking space. Halfway through the tour the guide gives you a few minutes to walk around and step inside the cells.
Kilmainham Gaol
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About
Opened in 1796 and closed in 1924, Kilmainham is one of Europe's largest unoccupied gaols — and the place where leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were held and executed.
Things to Do
Stonebreakers' Yard
Fourteen leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed by firing squad here between 3 and 12 May 1916, the last being James Connolly. The final part of the tour is outdoors in the prison yards, so bring a rain jacket.
The Museum
Self-guided after your tour, with objects and exhibits on the gaol's ordinary criminals and political prisoners, plus a quiet Picture Gallery on the ground floor. You may stay as long as you like.
The Prisoners' Lens exhibition
A free temporary exhibition of secret photographs taken inside the gaol in 1921 during the War of Independence. It runs from 23 October 2025 to 31 October 2026 and needs no ticket.
Guided tour of the Gaol
Access to the prison is by guided tour only, so pre-book online. The hour-long tour (about 35 people) visits the chapel, the cell corridors, the East Wing and the prison yards; allow 90 minutes in total with the museum.
Courthouse Visitor Centre
Your visit starts in the Courthouse beside the gaol: guides check tickets in the entrance hall, tours are called from the ground-floor Courtroom, and the café, gift shop and toilets are all in this building.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: Open all year round except 24-27 December. Courthouse Visitor Centre 09:30-17:15; Museum 10:30-17:15 (16:15/16:45 on 23 December). The Gaol closes at 12:30pm on Saturday 6 June for a festival performance. Guided tours run through the day and must be pre-booked.
- Admission: Adults €8, seniors €6, students €4, family €20; under-12s free but still need a ticket.
- Parking: No car parking at the Gaol. Park at the Irish Museum of Modern Art / Royal Hospital Kilmainham (access via East Gate, Military Road), a 5-minute walk via West Avenue and Richmond Gate; the Richmond Gate opens from 11am on Sunday. Limited coach parking on Inchicore Road.
- Food: Brambles café on the first floor of the Courthouse Visitor Centre; no ticket is needed to use it. Café bookings on +353 1 468 5000. The book and gift shop is on the ground floor.
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