Belfast Crumlin Road Gaol

Crumlin Road Gaol is located in Belfast in Northern Ireland. The jail opened in 1845 and it was at that time one of the most modern prisons in Ireland. It saw more than 25,000 prisoners step foot in it over the course of 150 years until it shut its doors in 1996.

At first, the prisoners were typically jailed for offences like stealing food or clothes. It then became a part of the political conflict in Northern Ireland known as the troubles, and some infamous political figures were detained there, including Eamon de Valera, Martin McGuinness, Bobby Sands and a few more. Seventeen of whom were eventually executed. For a deeper perspective into this period of Irish History prior to the Good Friday agreement – CGH offers, with their partner Coiste, unique political walking tours of Belfast with former prisoners of Crumlin Road Gaol.

What should your group expect from the visit to Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast?

• Visit the jail at your own pace in this self-guided tour around the main areas of the prison, including the governor’s office, the various cells, the executing chamber, the tunnel linking the jail to the Court, the hospital and the graveyard.
• Video, audio and holograms are available throughout the site, bringing the tour to life, helping your group to get a very good understanding of all that went on inside this harrowing prison.
• A fascinating experience for student groups interested in the historical and political conflict in Northern Ireland.
• Discover the life of the inmates, some of whom were women and children.
• Learn about the political segregation inside the prison and how the republican and loyalist prisoners were being kept apart.

Tip

Our top tip for groups interested in Politics and History is to combine this visit with a Belfast Black cab tour to give them an overview of the situation in Northern Ireland prior to visiting the Gaol. And to break up the day and feed hungry stomachs, why not make a stop at The Cuffs Bar & Grill located within the Crumlin Road gaol. They serve delicious, locally sourced hot and cold meals.

Did you know?

Throughout the years, Crumlin Road Gaol experienced quite a few escape attempts, some were successful and others not so much!

One of the most famous happened in 1971 when nine inmates, renamed later the Crumlin Kangaroos, escaped during a football match. They climbed over using rope ladders thrown by helpers from the other side of the walls. Two of them were captured a few days later, but the seven others managed to cross over South of the border into the Republic of Ireland.

Whether you are already in Belfast or staying in Dublin, let us at CGH organise this visit for your group – contact us today or complete our online group booking form.