KILMAINHAM GAOL

Kilmainham Gaol (Jail) was originally built in 1796. It was originally called the County of Dublin Gaol. It served as a prison for over 140 years and its cells held many of the most famous people involved in the campaign for Irish indepencence. The leaders of the 1916 uprising were executed here. If you would like to find out more about them or the 1916 Easter Uprising, go to: www.historylearningsite.co.uk/easter_uprising.htm
Children were sometimes arrested for petty thef,the youngest said to be a seven year-old boy, while many of the adult prisoners were deported to Australia. Some people's crimes were no more than stealing 4 loaves of bread.

There was no segregation of prisoners; men, women and children were incarcerated up to 5 in each cell, with only a single candle for light and heat, most of their time was spent in the cold and the dark.

Joseph Plunkett, one of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Uprising was married to his girlfriend, Grace Gifford in this prison chapel only hours before he was executed.









This picture is a reproduction of a painting by Grace Gifford (wife of Joseph Plunkett) on her cell wall of the Madonna and Child. Grace was arrested on political charges and served 3 months in jail after her husband's execution.
This picture is a balcony of where they would do public hangings. If you look close at the wall above the door, you can find 2 small whiter squares of brick. These bricks held the brace for the hangman's noose.
This cross marks the spot where John Connolly was shot. He was one of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Uprising. He was wounded in the Uprising and was sent to a hospital until he was well enough to be executed. They brought him in by stretcher and strapped him to a chair and shot him.
The green color on the flag represents the native people of Ireland (most of whom are Roman Catholic). The orange color represents the British supporters of William of Orange (See my Battle of the Boyne blog post) who settled in Northern Ireland in the 17th century (most of whom are Protestant). The white in the center of the flag represents peace between these two groups of people.
This plaque commemorates the men who were involved in the 1916 Easter Uprising and were executed at Kilmainham Gaol.