Cork City Gaol, Former prison and museum in Cork, Ireland.
Cork City Gaol is a Victorian prison building with stone walls and Gothic architecture, where cells are arranged across multiple levels and connected by wrought iron walkways. The structure has been restored and now functions as a museum with different areas to explore.
The prison operated from 1824 to 1923 and initially held both men and women, but became exclusively for women after 1878. This shift reflected broader changes in how Ireland managed its criminal justice system during that era.
The cells display life-sized figures of prisoners and guards showing what daily life was really like behind bars in the 1800s. You can see how small the spaces were and understand the harsh conditions people endured.
The museum offers audio guides in multiple languages and both guided and self-guided tours through the restored cell blocks. Plan your visit during quieter times if you want to move at your own pace through the different levels.
The governor's house was used as a radio broadcasting station starting in 1927 and continued in this role through the 1950s. This unusual transformation of a prison building into a media hub shows how institutions adapted to new purposes.
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