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Crumlin Road Gaol

Crumlin Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland
02890 741500
Website
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Ranked #1 of 106 attractions in Belfast
Type: Historic Sites
Owner description: The Crumlin Road Gaol dates back to 1845 and closed it's doors as a working prison in 1996. After extensive renovations the gaol has re opened as a... more » Owner description: The Crumlin Road Gaol dates back to 1845 and closed it's doors as a working prison in 1996. After extensive renovations the gaol has re opened as a visitor attraction and conference centre. Today you can take a guided tour of the prison and hear about the history of the site from when women and children were held within it's walls through to the political segregation of republican and loyalist prisoners and learn about why the decision was taken to close the prison.During the tour of the gaol you will be taken by your tour guide to visit the underground tunnel that used to connect the gaol to the Crumlin Road Courthouse, you will get a chance to sit in the Governor's chair, view all the wings from the circle and of course pay a visit to the condemned mans cell before seeing the execution cell where the majority of the 17 men were hanged. « less
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225 reviews from our community

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belfast
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2013 NEW

The gaol is pretty iconic and the architecture doesn't disappoint. The tour was great and out guide was informative and kept us interested. I would have liked to have been able to wander around independently as well as the guided tour. Well worth a visit

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See 6 more reviews by BelfastSeedall for Belfast
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2013 NEW

Would absolutely recommend this attraction. We had it recommended to us by my boyfriend's parents. Our guide was Steve and he was incredibly informative, plus it was just my boyfriend and I on the tour so we essentially had a private tour! Very interesting, and crazy how it all ended so recently.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2013 NEW via mobile

The tour last approximately 1 1/4hours, the guide was extremely knowledgeable and seemed to enjoy his job ...which is always a bonus. It was a warmish, dry day but I was glad I had a warm jacket as inside the gaol is cold and part of the tour is also outside so I recommend you wrap up. The parking wasn't... More

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1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2013 NEW

One of the most interesting and informative tours I have taken. Many years of history to discover, many stories to be heard and many interesting artefacts to see. Tour was informative and interactive plus gave me the feeling of what it was like to have been a prisoner here in the decades gone by. A must see for all the... More

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Belfast, United Kingdom
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2013 NEW

Went on a tour of the gaol last month.Car parking is either inside the gaol ,follow the car park signs or on the Crumlin road.Public transport is also available from city center.There is a waiting room just inside the main enterance,hot drinks and snacks on sale from the catering van.The tour takes around 1 hour,ladies wear flat shoes.I wont ruin... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Muirkirk, United Kingdom
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2013 NEW

very good tour of the gaol itwas very interesting & the executuion room was creepy. certainly felt the coldness in the room which sent chills down our spines!! would love to do the pananormal tour. the tour guide was really good & very informative

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See 2 more reviews by fiona g for Belfast
Crumlin_Road_Gaol, Manager at Crumlin Road Gaol, responded to this review
17 May 2013

Dear fiona g I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour and found it interesting. I will ensure that the rest of the team are aware of your positive review. Please note the details of our upcoming Paranormal tours are currently on our website www.crumlinroadgaol.com Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to Crumlin Road... More

Belfast, United Kingdom
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2013 NEW

As we had relatives over to visit from Canada, we decided to take them to visit Crumlin Gaol, as we've wanted to visit for sometime also. And partly as it holds some history about our family or rather a certain Uncle, who was one of the Escapee's in 1960. Fascinating stuff and would highly recommend it to anyone who is... More

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Belfast, United Kingdom
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013

I went here on a tour last year & although there was nothing i disliked about it, i just wanted a little bit more if you know what i mean. dont get me wrong the jail has a lot of history & our guide was very informative, i just wanted a little more spookiness :-/

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See 2 more reviews by Jenny H for Belfast
Newtownards, United Kingdom
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013 via mobile

My boyfriend and I did the tour yesterday and Brendan was our tour guide. Just one point "don't hold hands with Brendan". He was excellent, very informative whilst adding humour to a dark and dismal place. It was great to hear about the history of the gaol whilst getting an insight into the daily runnings of our old penal system.... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Belfast, United Kingdom
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013

Having an overseas visitor, we decided to take him to Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast to see where some renowned people had been incarcerated. Very interesting from the moment you step into the waiting room, where information and prison utensils are on display. It was a cold wet and windy day, so wrap up well as the wind howls around... More

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See 3 more reviews by Adrian112 for Belfast

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