Cork City Gaol

Cork City Gaol is a museum housed in a former prison. Completed in 1818, the building was designed by William Robertson in the Georgian Gothic architectural style. Notably, John Hogan, who later became one of Ireland’s greatest sculptors, worked as a draughtsman for the gaol.

The gaol initially served as a prison for both men and women who committed crimes in Cork city. In 1878, it became a women’s prison, and in 1922, it reopened as a co-ed facility before closing the following year.

Inmates at Cork City Gaol were often imprisoned for petty crimes that would be overlooked today, such as using obscene language or drinking alcohol. In 1919, Constance Markievicz, the first woman elected to the British Parliament, was imprisoned here for a rousing speech.

From 1927 through the 1950s, the gaol building was repurposed as a radio station and later used as storage for government offices. Over time, the unused portions of the building and its grounds fell into disrepair.

In 1993, Cork City Gaol was transformed into a museum, featuring exhibits that detail its history, including a radio museum. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of past inmates and the evolution of the prison system.

The Cork City Gaol appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Cork!

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