Kilmainham Gaol
Dublin's Historic Prison Where Leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising Were Executed
Day 3 – Tour of Kilmainham Gaol and Museum
We loaded up our tour bus and took a short drive for a morning tour of Kilmainham Gaol.
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Rick Steves Bonus
Our group visits to museums and historic sights were scheduled for timed entry, designed to minimize crowds and offer private, docent led tours. We toured the prison yard and cell blocks and then had time to explore the museum.
Kilmainham opened in 1796 as Dublin's County Gaol (prison). Throughout the 19th century, the prison housed common criminals as well as political rebels. During the famine, beggars and even children were held for stealing food. Men, women and children were crowded together. The prison was closed in 1910 and handed over to the British for military detentions. Much of the tour and museum exhibit focuses on the 1916 imprisonment and execution of rebel leaders.
The Execution of Leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising
At its inception, the six-day battle between the rebels and the British was not widely supported. Less than 2,000 rebels were greatly outnumbered by 20,000 British soldiers. The executed leaders became heroes and martyrs, and public opinion soon swelled in favor of the rebel cause.
The blindfolded and bullet-riddled figures outside Kilmainham provided a somber introduction to our visit.
Five chained serpents are carved over the entry to the gaol. They represent five deadly sins: treason, murder, larceny, rape and arson.
The stonebreakers' yard, once used for hard labor, was the site of the 1916 execution of leaders of the Easter Rising.
Severly wounded, James Connolly was the last of the fourteen to be executed. He couldn't stand, so he was tied to a chair and shot.
Our Tour Inside the Gaol
The narrow west wing is the oldest section of the prison. Originally, there was no glass in the windows and no heating or light.
The east wing was built in the 1860s. All of the cells could be observed from the center. The prison skylight was designed to "cleanse" inhabitants with sunlight.
The cells were lit by a small window that was too high for prisoners to see out. Etchings and names of famous prisoners appear over cell doors.
Éamon de Valera was one of the rebel leaders imprisoned in 1916. However, he received a stay of execution, perhaps because he was an American citizen.
The Heartbreaking Tale of Joseph and Grace Plunkett
Joseph was one of the rebel leaders scheduled for execution by firing squad.
Grace, his fiancé, visited the night before Joseph's execution. She was later imprisoned in 1923, during the Irish Civil War.
Joseph and Grace were allowed to marry in the prison chapel and given a brief time together in his cell. "Grace" is a famous ballad that tells the story of Joseph and Grace.
The painting of the Madonna and Child is a reproduction of one of the artworks painted by Grace on her cell wall during her imprisonment.
Museum Exhibit
The artifacts in the museum included manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, weaponry, artwork, medals, uniforms and personal effects.
Michael Collins 1890 - 1922
At Michael's funeral, approximately 500,000 mourners lined the streets of Dublin to pay their respects.
Gary was intrigued by the display of items found on Michael Collins when he died – including letters, his military stick, a link of hair and a hairbrush inscribed from Kitty.
