Day Two: Kilmainham Goal

Never thought we'd be running to jail but that is how we found ourselves on our second morning on the Emerald Isle. Our day started with a visit to Kilmainham Goal. Kilmainham Goal opened in 1796 as the new county goal for Dublin. Most of the prisoners were common criminals, the youngest being just three years old! It also held political prisoners involved in Ireland's struggle for independence. We learned about prisoners such as Joseph Plunkett, his wife, Grace Gifford, Robert Emmet, Countess Markievicz and the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, 14 of who, were executed by firng squad in the Stonebreaker's yard. The Goal was closed in 1924.Read more