Kilmainham Gaol Museum
Kilmainham Gaol Museum
4.5
About
This bleak old jail was notorious in the 19th century for its harsh treatment of prisoners.
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Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Kilmainham
How to get there
  • Suir Road • 8 min walk
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • Brandy P
    13 contributions
    Definitely check this out when in Dublin!
    Don’t skip this tour and definitely visit the museum! We weren’t able to do a jail tour as we didn’t get tickets in advance. It was right across the street from our hotel so we just popped in hoping to catch a tour. We were able to go to the museum and it was very interesting! One of the men working in the museum side, got a small group of us together that weren’t able to get tickets and allowed us to go in and quickly see/take pics of the new part of the jail as well as an old cell, which was really amazing of them to do for us! He told us a good deal about the jail as well!
    Visited November 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 14 December 2022
  • Ruth
    3 contributions
    Amazing tour guide Anthony
    Really great visit to such a unique and educational place. Had an amazing tour guide Anthony who was exceptional at telling the story of Kilmainham and making it such a rememberable visit. Sorry we had to leave the tour early Anthony you were great!
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with friends
    Written 15 December 2022
  • Ciara G
    1 contribution
    Well worth a visit!!!
    We (Myself and My Partner) went to visit Kilmainham as part of our annual trip to Dublin. If you’re in Dublin and have the time/ are looking for something to do definitely give the gaol a visit. We were very lucky to have Harry as our tour guide. Harry is a lovely gent who is full of knowledge and very welcoming of questions. Could have asked for a better tour guide. Thanks Harry.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 December 2022
  • cc
    London, United Kingdom41 contributions
    Amazing
    We really enjoyed this tour. It was very interesting to see how the prisoners lived and how the jail ran. Our tour guide Anthony was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and passionate and ensured we learnt a lot about not only the history of the prison, but also important parts of Irish history as a whole. Would highly recommend visiting.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 29 December 2022
  • Steve B
    Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom18 contributions
    Best guided tour ever
    Probably the best guided tour I’ve ever been on. Fascinating place. Extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide brought history to life. Would definitely recommend a visit. A real eye opener.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 1 January 2023
  • Mathilda T
    4 contributions
    Irish history - interestingly, short and close to one’s own eyes !
    The approx. 1 hour tour at Kilmainham Gaol was super interesting and very easy going. You’ll be able to see and walk trough all the important parts of the building while getting a short but throughout introduction to the Irish history. David, our guide, was fantastic ! If you’re interested in getting into Ireland‘s history this is a tour for you !
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 3 January 2023
  • Shades100
    Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom187 contributions
    Interesting tour!
    Well worth a visit to gain an insight into Irish history and prison reform (or lack of !) over the years! The tour is guided. Ellen was amazing. Sadly the museum was closed but still worth a trip.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 3 January 2023
  • Chantal D
    5 contributions
    A must do tour for Dublin
    This was my favorite tour! I’m so glad I didn’t skip this. The tour guide gave a great presentation of the jail and it’s history. To see this place from its beginnings all the way to its present day state was so moving. If you go in winter I highly recommend you dress for it you will be outside in a lot of parts of the tour and there may be chill wind-at least I hope it was…. Either way, bundle up. This was 10/10 for me.
    Visited February 2022
    Travelled with friends
    Written 3 January 2023
  • Vavik
    7 contributions
    Moving and interesting
    The site is incredibly well kept, and the entrance ticket is definitely worth a tour. Personnel is adorable and patient even when you forget your ears at home like I did. Guide Anthony was so passionate and thorough I simply couldn't stop listening and seriously considered going another round. I left with tears in my eyes and with much more knowledge than I had going in. Definitely go!
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 5 January 2023
  • Dona Z
    Lecce, Italy6 contributions
    Part of the Irish history
    Visited on December 2022 (14th), it's a place to visit to know part of the Irish history. Loved the tour, the guide gave us all the information needed to understand what happened in this place. The tour is only in English but you can scan QR codes for different languages, if needed. Part of the visit is outside, so if you visit it in winter, be sure to wear warm clothes.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled solo
    Written 5 January 2023
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4.5
27,614 reviews
Excellent
19,912
Very good
5,955
Average
1,243
Poor
264
Terrible
240

H W
Wollongong, Australia1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
Travelled from Australia and booked this day well in advance. Ran into heavy traffic on the way and arrived 15 minutes late. We were told to join on to our tour group. We had missed the part we most wanted to see… the chapel where Grace Gifford married Joseph Plunkett prior to his execution. We were devastated. Spoke to “head tour guide” and asked if we could possibly be quickly shown the chapel. No. He refused outright. Didn’t have the capacity. Would not allow two of our party of four to join on a tour for safety reasons and had no one available to show us. Unbelieveable.
We have rebooked before we go back. But if you were the head guide on Sat Dec 9 at 2:40 pm… shame on you.
Written 10 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ben Wright
Birmingham, UK4 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
A lot better than expected. For the price, this is a fantastic experience. Our tour guide was engaging and informative, bringing the rich history of the Gaol to life. Definitely recommend.
Written 9 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Izzy S
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Fantastic glimpse into Irish history. Our tour guide was Ellen who was fantastic, enthusiastic and happy to answer questions. There was tons to see between the Gaol and the museum and it was all really interesting!
Written 30 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

urbanguy
Richmond, VA4,629 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
I guess there are two pars to the Gaol: the tour, which lasts about 50 minutes, and the Museum, if that's that it's called. Our tour guide, Jonathan, was great. The artifacts in the Museum are substantial and well displayed. It'll take some time to go through it all.

Getting tickets is something else. They go on sale, Dublin time, 28 days in advance. To say that tix are in high demand is an understatement. I got on the computer at 7:08 P.M. EST on night, and within those 8 minutes, the tour I wanted (10 A.M.) was already sold out. This is one the the cheaper attractions in Dublin to visit. As a senior, it cost me only 6 euros.
Written 28 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Leonzy
Dublin28 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
What an amazing morning spent soaking up Irish history in Kilmainham Gaol.

Dave was such a good guide and despite thinking you knew your history, he made us feel like we were learning things all over again!!
Super star!

Such a bargain for how long we spent here!!

Highly recommend for all :)
Written 28 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

liz_lemon2019
9 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Touring the Kilmainham Gaol and museum was one one of the highlights of our trip to Dublin. Our tour guide was exceptional and I learned so much about the history of Ireland. When we visited, the museum had the last letters written by several of the prisoners that had been sentenced to death. This was extremely poignant and really gave us a sense of what life was like back in the day. If you are contemplating going, do not hesitate! If it is a cold day, dress warmly as the outdoor parts of the tour can be quite chilly. Additionally, you might be able to get tickets day of if advanced tickets are sold out. We bought last minute tickets and I am so glad we did. Definitely check this one out!
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KCartz1
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Big shout out to our tour guide Tom - great information, great tours super patient and really engaging. Felt like we were right back there !
Written 24 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Barbara O
Rochester, IL36 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
What a moving experience. Be prepared to learn about Irish history and the 1916 rebellion. Our tour guide was so informative and knowledgeable and presented everything in a straight forward and respectful manner. Definitely one you need book ahead of time.
Written 22 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Melanie C
Western Ireland, Ireland1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Business
Previously as a voluntary, community group we had attended this trip and had thoroughly enjoyed. Decided to repeat but had a very different experience. Traffic issues left the group slightly late for the tour and entry was refused. It was the confrontational, uncompromising and angry approach of the manager which thoroughly disappointed the group some of whom had waited 20 years to do this tour. In a cost of living crisis where people are prioritising spend this was simply not an acceptable response.
Written 22 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bill p
Glasgow, UK24 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Do not miss this tour! Irish history brought to life, a big shout for our guide Anna, she told the story of the gaol and the people who were incarcerated and executed with great knowledge. The questions the group asked were all answered with clarity.
This is a must do, we tried to book the visit a few times before finally being successful on the morning of our last day in Dublin (due to a cancellation) so always check the website at 9.15.
The goal, museum and courtroom are a first class visitor attraction.
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Kilmainham Gaol Museum, Dublin

Frequently Asked Questions about Kilmainham Gaol Museum