- Belfast
Start time: 11:00
Last admission: 1 hour before closing
Duration: 1h
Audio guide: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Wheelchair accessible The ground floor is fully accessible, the upper and lower floors are not, due to narrow stairs.
Live guide: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Wicklow's Historic Gaol features interactive displays, and holographic projections detailing the fascinating and macabre history of this penitentiary. The words "Wicklow Gaol" would once strike fear in the heart of anyone within earshot. It's now County Wicklow's most popular tourist attraction.
From the 1798 Rebellion (or Rising) to the Great Famine of the 1840s and the Independence Era (1916-1923) and beyond, Wicklow Gaol has seen more than its fair share of incarcerations. It was once known for brutality, overcrowding and corruption.
Now a museum, a visit here is a compelling journey into Ireland's difficult past. Fortunately, thanks to the detailed educational experience it's now one of Ireland's top tourist attractions. It's also one of the world's most haunted buildings, so keep your eyes and ears out for spectral shadows and ghostly mists.