Crumlin Road Gaol
Crumlin Road Gaol is a Victorian prison in north Belfast that took its first inmates in 1846 and closed in 1996. Today it is a visitor attraction and events venue, best seen on a 70-minute guided tour that covers the cells, the hanging cell and the tunnel to the courthouse.
Photos
Camelia Stancu
150 years of prison history
For a century and a half this Grade A listed jail held murderers, suffragettes, and both loyalist and republican prisoners. More than 25,000 people passed through its gates, and its history includes executions, escapes, hunger strikes and riots. It closed on 31 March 1996, when the governor walked out and the gates were shut for the last time.
The guided tour
Tours take around 70 minutes and lead you through parts of the prison most visitors would never otherwise see. You walk the tunnel that ran beneath the Crumlin Road to the courthouse opposite, see the Governor's office and the prison hospital, and visit the hanging cell and the graveyard. Some of the subject matter is heavy, so it suits older children and adults best.
Planning your visit
The gaol sits on the Crumlin Road, a little north of the city centre, so it pairs well with a walk or short taxi ride back towards the Cathedral Quarter. It also hosts concerts and events, so check what is on if you want to see the building in a different light.
Highlights
- Victorian prison open 1846–1996
- Grade A listed building
- 70-minute guided tour
- Tunnel to the courthouse and the hanging cell
- Concerts and events in the old prison
Good to know
- Visits are by guided tour, lasting about 70 minutes
- Tour content includes the execution cell, which may not suit young children
- The site also runs concerts and events
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: visitbelfast.com