History enthusiasts uncover a piece of Cork's past with a visit to the Cork City Gaol. Step into this castle-like former prison, and find a museum showcasing the realities 19th century prison life. With your entry, enjoy a self-guided tour of the prison complex, an optional audio guide upgrade, and access to the Radio Museum, which presents relics from when the Gaol was a broadcasting station.

Visit the Cork City Gaol, a former prison and museum, with this entry ticket
Use your ticket any time on the day you choose, when it's convenient for you
Join a first-come first-served guided tour—offered every 30 minutes—included
Get a great value, with a tour, guide book, and exhibit admission included

What's Included

Admission

Meeting And Pickup

Start time

Opening hours

1/5/2023 - 3/31/2023
Monday - Sunday : 10:00 am - 04:00 pm

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible

Service animals allowed
Most travellers can participate

Operated by Cork City Gaol

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Traveller Photos

Reviews

4.5

133 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 133 reviews

Brilliant experience

paris_t, Dec 2022

Really good experience with a lot of interesting history, kept getting scared by the wax figures though. would recommend to dress heavy because it’s very cold inside the jail

How life has changed for prisoners.

Patricia_S, Jul 2022

The way of life in the old days was much life Dickens stories, gave me memories of books I read as a child. The guide was a history major and new the history of the goal so well. The staff greeting us were very friendly and were enjoying time working there.

History Nerd Fun!

Amanda_L, Jun 2022

The history of the gaol is amazing! All of the exhibits were very lifelike and Informative. If you’re a history nerd like myself, you should definitely plan a trip to the gaol!

Disappointing

Dermot_M, Mar 2022

The website made reference to guided tours every 30 minutes. The tour was self guided and quite poor.

Cork Gaol

Fions_M, Oct 2021

Really enjoyed this experience and would highly recommend . If you are into Irish history it definitely is worth visiting

1 traveler found this review helpful

Brilliant experience

Gillian_O, Sept 2021

The models are excellent. The map is very informative. The Staff are very knowledgeable and friendly.

1 traveler found this review helpful

AMAZING

kevinetxe, Sept 2021

Beautiful and magical place to visit for a day. Very well explained and taken care of. No doubt I will be returning at some point.

Amazing

Paul_G, Aug 2021

An amazing place to go to in Cork City. You can still see the writing on the wall in some cells from the prisoners that were there over a hundred years ago.

Interesting piece of history

Monica_A, Aug 2021

Was going to skip this visit, but I'm so glad we went as it was so interesting and the little video at the end was sad, really great day out

Exciting experience

Marie_K, Aug 2021

Lovely experience hard to imagine what the people experienced all those years ago Plenty to see and lots of history to read a good guide book giving the details of inmates, great day.

Interesting trip

Avril_M, Aug 2021

Audiovisual was great 👍 very interesting to see what the Gaol was like in the 1800’s! Children aged 15, 13 and 8 all enjoyed it….. quiz for them to do.

Fabulous place

DeirdreComerford, Aug 2021

We absolutely loved Cork City Gaol, it was very well run. It was a very interesting and enjoyable experience. Highly recommend it

History

Patrick40, Sept 2020

This was our 4th old gaols of Ireland we've visited and it didn't dissapoint. Plenty of history and more things we've learned. Visit little different due to covid but still a great experience and would recommend to other people to visit.

A must visit

Jim, Sept 2020

The visit from start to finish was most informative and interesting on every level, (human, environmental and historical),

Excellent

Deirdre, Sept 2020

Well worth a visit. good value for money. Real life stories and easy to follow map with wax figures in the cells and virtual videos and audio sounds.. loved it

The whole place

SARAH_H, Aug 2020

Excellent place. Very interesting to see and staff very friendly. Would definitely recommend, 4 year old enjoyed it too.

Staycation

Martina, Aug 2020

Very interesting and well presented. . Easy to get around.. Staff very friendly and helpful. Limited restaurant facilities

Super

Rafal_P, Aug 2020

A very good experience and a nice historic płace I reccomend it Very Safe place during COVID-19 SUPER

Great for kids!

Jeff_C, Aug 2020

Very enjoyable visit for adults and children alike. The biographies of some of the inmates brought the experience to life.

Questions?

Product code: 149131P1

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