Dublin · Kilmainham and Phoenix Park
Kilmainham Gaol
A Victorian prison where the leaders of the 1916 Rising were held and executed. Entry is by guided tour only, followed by time in the museum.
- 2 h
- €8
- Book ahead
- Kilmainham and Phoenix Park
Data checked on October 5, 2026
Kilmainham opened in 1796 and held leaders of many Irish uprisings, then closed as a prison in 1924. The one hour tour walks through the cells, the older wing and the Victorian East Wing with its glass-roofed hall. It ends at the Stonebreakers' Yard, where leaders of the 1916 Rising were shot. After the tour you can go through the museum at your own pace.
What to look for
- The East Wing hall, with its glass roof and iron walkways
- The cells of the older wing
- The Stonebreakers' Yard
- The museum rooms on prison life and the 1916 Rising
Opening hours
| Monday | 9:30 am–5:15 pm | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9:30 am–5:15 pm | |
| Wednesday | 9:30 am–5:15 pm | |
| Thursday | 9:30 am–5:15 pm | |
| Friday | 9:30 am–5:15 pm | |
| Saturday | 9:30 am–5:15 pm | |
| Sunday | 9:30 am–5:15 pm |
The visitor centre opens at 9:30 and the museum at 10:30. Tours run in timed slots through the day and the site closes at 17:15 (16:15 and 16:45 on 23 December). It is closed from 24 to 27 December.
Source: Kilmainham Gaol Museum (OPW), checked October 5, 2026
Tickets and booking
Adult ticket €8. The adult ticket covers the tour and the museum. Seniors, students and families pay reduced rates, and children under 12 are free with a ticket.
Every visit needs a booked ticket and the official site is the only seller. A limited number of tours are released 28 days ahead at midnight Irish time, and more tickets for the day go online from 9:15. Children under 12 are free but still need a ticket.
Getting there
The Suir Road stop on the Luas Red line is about a ten minute walk.
Tip
Set a reminder for the release 28 days before your date, since the popular slots go first. The same-day release at 9:15 is a back-up, not a plan.