Kilmainham Gaol
Dublin, Ireland
A former prison in Dublin whose stone corridors and cells tell the story of Irish political history, visited on a guided tour. Book a slot ahead in the high season, as tours often sell out, and allow plenty of time.
Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 as Dublin’s county gaol. It held revolutionaries and political leaders of the Irish independence movement, as well as thousands convicted of minor offences who were awaiting transportation to Australia, including children. The leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed in the Stonebreakers’ Yard. The gaol closed in 1924 and has been preserved as a national monument since the 1960s; today it is one of the largest unoccupied prisons in Europe.
The building can only be visited on a guided tour, and booking in advance is required. Reserve early in the high season, as tours can sell out, and check current times on the official website. There is also an exhibition on three levels covering the social history of prisons, Irish nationalism and the restoration of the 1960s. Allow plenty of time for the exhibition and tour together.
- Nearest town
- Dublin, Ireland
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 53.3419, -6.3997
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Ireland: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Barrier-free toll on the M50 around Dublin. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Camac Valley Tourist Caravan & Camping ParkCampsite4 km from Kilmainham GaolTentsCaravansMotorhomes
- Motorhome stopover · DublinMotorhome stopover18 km from Kilmainham GaolMotorhomes
- Motorhome stopover · DublinMotorhome stopover23 km from Kilmainham GaolMotorhomes
- Old Donabate Tennis Club fieldMotorhome stopover23 km from Kilmainham GaolMotorhomes
- Corballis Caravan ParkMotorhome stopover24 km from Kilmainham GaolMotorhomes
- Beach View ParkMotorhome stopover24 km from Kilmainham GaolMotorhomes
All campsites in Ireland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Kilmainham Gaol?
Kilmainham Gaol is in Dublin, Ireland, at GPS 53.3419, -6.3997. It is about 23 km from Enniskerry.
Can you camp near Kilmainham Gaol?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camac Valley Tourist Caravan & Camping Park, about 4 km away; within 25 km there are 9 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Kilmainham Gaol?
Places worth a stop nearby: Sally Gap (23 km), Powerscourt Waterfall (25 km), Lough Tay (28 km) and Hill of Tara (30 km).
When is the best time to visit Kilmainham Gaol?
The most pleasant months are usually June. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)