Explore Cork City Gaol - Your Daily Adventure

See what 19th/early 20th century life was like inside prison walls

Cork City Gaol is a heritage centre that allows you to take a step back in time to see what 19th/early 20th century life was like inside prison walls. The historical experience is brought to life with amazingly life like figures, furnished cells, sound effects & fascinating stories.

The exhibition fascinates visitors of all ages, and all nationalities are catered for with a self-guided tour available in 13 languages. Guided tours are also available at 2pm throughout the year and every hour in July and August.

Highlights

SELF-GUIDED TOURS
For Self-Guided tours, visitors can come in at any time. A guidebook is included in your admission rate and includes a map of the building as well as the stories of the prisoners and staff that you meet on your tour. The guidebook is available in 12 different languages.

If you prefer to listen to the tour, an audio guide is available to rent at an additional cost of €2 per guide. The audio guide is simple to use and very easy to follow. It is available in 9 different languages.

GUIDED TOURS
Led by one of the experienced Tour Guides, the guided tour brings you on a 45-minute journey through time where you learn about what life was like for prisoners and staff in the Gaol.

Throughout the Year: 2pm daily
July and August: Every hour, on the hour
Guided Tours are an additional €2 per person. Please note that the guided tours are only available in English.

Groups of 10 or more must be pre-booked, please click here for more information.

Open

Opening Times:

March to October:
Monday to Sunday
10am to 5pm

November to February:
Monday to Sunday
10am to 4pm

Closed 22nd – 26th December

Always check online for up to date details

Prices

Admission Rates Apply

Book online at www.corkcitygaol.com

Useful Information

Coach & Car parking: on street parking is available. Maximum time is 2 hours, no disk is required. There is a parking space for coaches across the road from the Gaol.
Toilets: available in the main building, including a wheelchair accessible toilet and a baby changing unit.
Partial Wheelchair access: Cork City Gaol has partial access for wheelchair users. You can contact us in advance or on arrival to arrange access.
Open top bus pick up and set down (March to November): Please see http://www.corkcitytours.com/ for timetable and ticket information.
Souvenir Shop Stocking a selection of Gaol, Cork and Irish souvenirs as well as cold and hot drinks and snacks.
Picnic Area We have a number of picnic tables in the Governors Garden and plenty of green space for you to set up a picnic blanket.
Tourist Information Fliers, maps and Irelands Ancient East information point.

Getting There

From West

Turn left between Sacred Heart Church & AIB on Western Road
At T Junction (Flower Shop facing you) turn right along Sunday’s Well Road
Buses/Pedestrians Only: Turn left up Shanakiel, take first turn right up Strawberry Hill and turn right into Gaol on Convent Avenue
All other Traffic:Continue along Sunday’s Well Road and just beyond the Post Office, turn left at ‘Indian Aagrah Restaurant’ into Convent Avenue.

From East

From North side of Patrick’s Bridge (i.e. along Camden Quay with River Lee on your left) drive straight along Quayside
Do not turn left or right
At Distillery Building on North Mall, the road leaves the riverside and goes up Sunday’s Well Road
Continue on Sunday’s Well Road – you will pass St. Vincent’s Church on left
After ‘Indian Aagrah Restaurant’ on the corner, go right
Turn left at the top of the hill – and you can park right in front of the Gaol.

Map Location: 51.899043, -8.498868

Contact Cork City Gaol

Convent Avenue, Sunday’s Well, Cork City, Ireland

Eircode: T23 VX25
T: +353(0)21 430 5022
W: www.corkcitygaol.com