Cork City Gaol
Convent Ave, Cork, Ireland
Dating from the 19th century, Cork City Gaol is a historic prison-turned-museum, which offers visitors a glimpse into the life of the imprisoned people who were incarcerated there. A visit to this attraction includes the chance to explore the grounds and the jail's interiors: If you’re feeling brave, you can even get locked in a cell.
The basics
Cork City Gaol is a popular city attraction and hop-on hop-off tours stop right out front. You can visit on your own and will receive a guidebook included with your ticket price, including a map and stories of the building and its inmates. Alternatively, you can join a tour: Tours run every afternoon throughout the year for a small fee and it's advisable to book your tickets and tour slots in advance. In July and August, tours run every hour on the hour.
Things to know before you go
The main floor—where you’ll find most exhibits—gift shop, and toilets are all suitable for wheelchairs, but the upstairs area is not accessible.
Audio guides are available in nine different languages for a small fee.
Discounted admission is available for students with valid ID, people 65 and older, and visitors aged 3-17 years. Kids under 3 visit for free.
How to get there
The easiest way to get to Cork City Gaol is by taxi or tour, but you can also take bus 208 to Western Road, about a 10-minute walk away. The nearest train station is Cork Kent, which is a 40-minute walk. A hop-on hop-off bus service will drop you right in front of the jail, but times depend on the season, so do check in advance. Free parking for up to two hours is available in front of the jail.
When to get there
Cork City Gaol is open daily throughout the year, with slightly reduced hours between November and February. It is closed for the Christmas break from December 22–December 26. Weekends tend to get the most crowds, while Tuesday is typically the least busy day of the week.
Visiting Cork's Butter Museum
Fans of whimsical attractions won't want to miss the chance to visit Cork's Butter Museum, which is a 5-minute drive from the jail. Housed in the city's old butter market, this compact museum will tell you everything you need to know about how butter has been made throughout the ages, with a special focus on Cork's historic butter industry.
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