When was kilmainham gaol built

Building Category. Watch and Listen Star Wars and History. The Amritsar Massacre with Kim Wagner. You May Also Like. Dunguaire Castle. Birr Castle. Lismore Castle. Malahide Castle. Kilkenny Castle. This is why the Irish no longer mark Remembrance Day. How much did Jackie know about John F. John F. Kennedy, Jr: facts about the president's son. Patrick's Day. Bobby Kennedy killed Marilyn Monroe claims ex-boyfriend, "Godfather" actor. Dine with an Irish view in - the best food experiences across Ireland.

Co Kerry town named among Europe's most beautiful. Experts name top 21 places to visit in Ireland, beyond Cliffs of Moher. Top ten handcrafted Irish gifts for your loved ones this Christmas. Jail which held leaders of five Irish rebellions received its first prisoners on this day in On August 12, , Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, received its first prisoners.

IrishCentral Staff. Aug 12, Read this next Travel. Travel Dine with an Irish view in - the best food experiences across Ireland. Most Read Most Recent. History How much did Jackie know about John F. History Ancient secrets of the Hill of Tara revealed. The original complex, opened in and built to a design by Sir John Trail c. A series of yards, dedicated to specific activities or types of prisoner, were arranged around the cell blocks. A high limestone wall with bastions to the four corners enclosed the entire complex.

The present entrance block, with its heavy rusticated and vermiculated stonework and chained hydra a mythical and dangerous many-headed serpent over the door, was part of the original building. Public hangings were from a gallows directly above the doorway; the combination of the hydra in chains and the hanged emphasised the control of those threatening society. Despite the original intentions the prison soon became overcrowded, with cells built for one often holding multiple prisoners.

In a block of 30 cells was added to the west wing, but soon after this was completed there was a major increase in prisoners arising from the Great Famine. The prison registers for the period show a dramatic rise in imprisonment for food-related offences. In times of mass famine a prison diet was preferable to starvation. To discourage such prisoners the prison diet was reduced to a minimum.

The next major attempt to deal with overcrowding involved the demolition of the old east wing and its replacement in by a new three-storey-over-basement wing to an award-winning design by John McCurdy c. This is a classic Victorian prison design organised around the principle of central observation and control, allowing prison staff to have, from a central point, a view of every cell door in the block.