Kilmainham Gaol Museum
Re-opens to visitors on Friday 4th December. Restricted access. Online booking is essential.
Please see further information below.
COVID-19 Update
We are delighted to announce that Kilmainham Gaol Museum will re-open to visitors on Friday 4th December. Tickets must be booked in advance online. All visitors, including children under the age of 12 require a ticket.
To ensure the safety and welfare of our visitors and staff, a restricted service will be in operation, with access to the ground floor of the Gaol and the prison yards. Tickets for tours are limited to allow for social distancing. Please do not travel to Kilmainham Gaol if you have not booked tickets. Cancellation tickets for the day will be released online between 9:15am – 9:30am.
Before booking, please read our Covid-19 Visitor Guidelines on what to expect from your visit. This will also answer many of your FAQs. Please note that face coverings are a requirement during your visit. Visitors with disabilities or additional needs, and carers should contact us directly to arrange a visit: kilmainhamgaol@opw.ie
Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 as the new County Gaol for Dublin. It closed its doors in 1924.
Today the building symbolises the tradition of militant and constitutional nationalism from the rebellion of 1798 to the Irish Civil War of 1922-23. Leaders of the rebellions of 1798, 1803, 1848,1867 and 1916 were detained and in some cases executed here. Many members of the Irish Republican movement during the Anglo-Irish War (1919-21) were also detained in Kilmainham Gaol, guarded by British troops. Names such as Henry Joy McCracken, Robert Emmet, Anne Devlin, Charles Stewart Parnell and the leaders of 1916 will always be associated with the building. It should not be forgotten however that, as a county gaol, Kilmainham held thousands of ordinary men, women and children. Their crimes ranged from petty offences such as stealing food to more serious crimes such as murder or rape. Convicts from many parts of Ireland were held here for long periods waiting to be transported to Australia. Kilmainham Gaol Museum is operated and managed by the Office of Public Works.
Kilmainham Gaol on Lockdown
Explore the Gaol through our series of Kilmainham Gaol on Lockdown videos.
Learn more about the gaol’s political graffiti, walk through the basement, visit the prison yards and discover a hidden corridor.
Guided Tours
Entrance to Kilmainham Gaol is by guided tour and is managed through timed tickets. Online booking is required. Please do not travel to Kilmainham Gaol if you have not booked tickets. Cancellation tickets for the day will be released online between 9:15am – 9:30am.
Please note that the online system is for use by individuals and not for group bookings. Please refer to our terms and conditions. Further information on tours, tickets and facilities can be found on Plan a Visit & Frequently Asked Questions.
Educational School Visits
Kilmainham Gaol Museum offers free educational visits for primary and secondary schools. Please read our Schools Information Page before requesting a visit.
Please note that we are not accepting school bookings until further notice.
Resources for Primary and Secondary schools can be found on our Investigate/Education page.
Group Bookings
Please note that we are not accepting group bookings until further notice.
Kilmainham Gaol Museum welcomes requests for group bookings (10 or more people). All requests should be made by email to kilmainhamgaol@opw.ie
Groups should not purchase tickets using the online booking system, as this is for use by individuals and independent visitors only. Please refer to our terms and conditions.
Temporary Exhibition
‘Recycle, Re-purpose, Re-imagine: Transforming Objects in Kilmainham Gaol’
Further information can be found on our Exhibitions page. The exhibition is currently closed to visitors.
Plan a Visit
Opening hours, location, transport and more.
Book Tickets
Book tickets online now, to guarantee your place in our popular tours.
Collection
View highlights of the permanent collection.
Education
Information for teachers and students.
Full captions and copyright information for all images can be found in the Galleries. If you would like to use any of the images you see on this website, please contact us.
Any links to external content on this website are there for reference purposes, and do not imply endorsement.