Built in 1796 on the aptly-named Gallows Hill, the Gaol always reflected the political climate of Ireland--housing revolutionaries, assassins, and often, victims. It held such rebellious figures as Henry Joy McCracken and Robert Emmet. Several who called themselves "The Invincibles" were hanged there for their roles in political assassinations. Finally, during the Irish Famine, the prison swelled to accommodate a "massive increase" in its population--most of the new inmates being those charged with begging or stealing food, and many of those being women or children. As many as five were assigned to cells designed for one.
Morbid? Possibly, but undeniably fascinating. The Gaol's character is apparent with or without knowing its history. When I toured the building, the past seemed to seep from its concrete walls. It echoed death and revolution, from the claustrophobic, bowed doorways, to the centuries-old messages carved into its cell walls.
Image: "Kilmainham Gaol Inside." Source: Wikimedia
Information: Official website timeline
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