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Kilmainham Gaol Museum
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Kilmainham Gaol Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
Kilmainham Gaol Museum
4.5
27,374 reviews
#2 of 671 things to do in Dublin
Speciality Museums • Historic Sites
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About
This bleak old jail was notorious in the 19th century for its harsh treatment of prisoners.
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What is Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best?
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Kilmainham
How to get there
  • Suir Road • 8 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
1,891 within 5 kms
La Dolce Vita
571
0.1 km€€ - €€€ • Italian • Pizza • European
BRÚ House Kilmainham
589
0.3 km€€ - €€€ • Irish • European • Contemporary
The Patriots Inn
450
0.1 km€€ - €€€ • Irish • Bar • Pub
Hilton Dublin Kilmainham Restaurant
134
0.4 km€€ - €€€ • Irish • Bar • Pub
The Officers Mess Cafe
20
0.3 km€€ - €€€ • Cafe
The Glen of Aherlow - Donoghue's
14
0.1 km€ • Pub
Broyage Bar & Bistro
45
95 m€€ - €€€ • Irish • Bar • Pub
Newland Chinese
14
0.2 kmChinese • Fast food • Asian
Brambles Cafe - Kilmainham Gaol
2
0.4 km€€ - €€€ • Irish
Four Star Pizza
6
0.2 km
See all
Attractions
630 within 10 kms
The Proclamation Sculpture
7
34 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Kilmainham Goal
4
0.3 kmSpeciality Museums • Historic Sites
War Memorial Gardens
231
0.5 kmGardens
St. Michael's Church
2
0.4 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals
St. Jude's Church of Ireland Tower
1
0.4 kmAncient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Pearse Lyons Distillery
546
1.3 kmDistilleries
Roe & Co Distillery
400
1.6 kmDistilleries
Guinness Storehouse
48,087
1.5 kmSpeciality Museums • Historic Sites
The Little Museum of Dublin
13,533
3.4 kmSpeciality Museums • History Museums
Royal Hospital Kilmainham
118
0.7 kmHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
27,374 reviews
Excellent
19,706
Very good
5,939
Average
1,232
Poor
260
Terrible
237
jxx9595
Washington, DC1,374 contributions
You must book well ahead of your visit
May 2023
We didn't actually see the Gaol, so how can I write a review? I really can't, but I wanted to wanr others that you need to book WELL in advance. We looked for tickets several weeks before our visit to Dublin, and we were unable to get them.

The lesson is that you can book your tickets too soon, especially in high season.
Written 26 May 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.
jerrys01
Bel Air, MD549 contributions
Great tour (and museum) at the Kilmainham Gaol
May 2023 • Couples
There are two parts of the tour. The first is the museum, which shows life at different time periods, and was very informative. The second part is the guided tour, which showed us the gaol itself. Our guide did a very good job. We were told the history of some of the more famous prisoners, mainly from the time of the Irish revolution and the time of their civil war. I was able to get a picture of the cell of Eamon de Valera, who became a future president of the Republic of Ireland. The building itself is very impressive, and actually lets a lot of light in. This tour was one of our highlights in visiting Ireland.
Written 26 May 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.
Leanne S
Connecticut85 contributions
One of our Favorite Attractions in Dublin
May 2023
One of our favorite experiences in Dublin, by far! Our tour guide was fantastic, and the tour, itself, was informative and educational. Keep in mind that this is a very old building, and many areas are not easily accessible for those with limited mobility.
Written 26 May 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.
Hugh C
Brighouse, UK17 contributions
Fascinating and highly educational. Very well led.
May 2023
We had a fascinating tour, led by Roisin. While we had some notion of the history, this brought so much to life. We left with a far, far better grasp of the background to the Easter Rising, War of Independence and Civil War.
I felt the level of detail was just right for the group, we never felt rushed and yet the time flew by.
I strongly recommend as a foundation for so much else you see in Dublin.
Travelled as father and adult son
Written 23 May 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.
Kathrine
Pennsylvania553 contributions
Irish History
May 2023 • Couples
Our guide was very information regarding the history of the Goal. The museum has a lot to read. Do book tickets in advance. While it's outside the city center of Dublin, we took a tram and then a 15-minute walk. It was easy to find.
Written 22 May 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.
Mary
Atlanta, GA255 contributions
Reservations, reservations.
May 2023 • Couples
Like everyone says, make sure to book well in advance. If you were unable to get tickets, check the morning of, as there usually are cancellations. Interesting and sobering experience. Informative guides. Recommend when in Dublin!
Written 22 May 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.
SugarbakerElPaso
Knoxville, TN34 contributions
One of the best things to do in Dublin
Apr 2023
This is one of our favorite things that we did in Dublin. You must book in advance because they always sell out. We loved this tour, so much history and we had an excellent guide.
Written 21 May 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.
Bea H
Hartford, CT125 contributions
Do not miss this
May 2023 • Friends
Fascinating and emotional journey. The guide did a wonderful job and stayed around after the tour to answer questions. There is a museum on site which is well worth your time. We almost skipped it, so happy we didn’t!!
Written 21 May 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.
Meghan
Green Lane, PA3 contributions
A magnificent and profound place to visit to learn about the history of Ireland.
May 2023 • Family
Kilmainham Gaol is a must see if you are looking for the history of Ireland. Here you can learn about some the troubles that the people of Ireland had gone through in the 1800s as well as learning about the Easter Rising of 1916 that helped bring Ireland to a republic. We had one of the most passionate and amazing tour guides, David. You could feel the love that David has for Kilmainham and the people that had walked through the jail. This was the 7th day of my trip to London and Dublin and Kilmainham was the most impactful place we visited during our trip. Make sure to take time during your visit to Dublin to go to Kilamainham Gaol.
Written 20 May 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.
Brian H
Austin, TX6 contributions
Fascinating look at the inside of an amazing piece of history
May 2023
The museum presents a fascinating self guided tour of one of the most incredible buildings you can see in Dublin. It covers the buildings entire history and that's saying a lot for the staff who created the presentation. Fascinating. don't miss it!
Written 20 May 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
We recommend booking Kilmainham Gaol Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 18 Kilmainham Gaol Museum tours on Tripadvisor