Kilmainham Gaol

Yesterday we enriched ourselves in the Irish culture by visiting Kilmainham Gaol.Kilmainham Gaol has played an important part in Irish history, as many leaders of Irish rebellions were imprisoned and some executed in the jail. The jail has also been used as a set for several films. The jail was closed in 1926 but reopened to the public in the 1980's after an extensive restoration project. The design of the jail was revolutionary for its day because it featured separate rooms for each prisoner. Previously, all the prisoners were put into big rooms together, and were able to receive food and drink from the street. We were told that most of the prisoners in the old jails would be drunk by 11 am each day. In one of the cells there was this beautiful painting by a woman whose husband had been executed for his action in the Easter 1916 rebellion. It was a really cool place to visit, and recommend it as a place to visit in Dublin.