The Crumlin Road Gaol (the British spelling of "jail") is another tourist attraction in Belfast. I spent a morning there. It didn't hold my attention as well as the Titanic museum did, but I'm glad I went. I was expecting to be presented with a lot of information about The Troubles. There was some, but it was not the primary focus. The gaol was built in the mid-1800s and was used until it was finally closed in 1996. If you follow the link above, and look at the website, you'll see that the jail is available as a venue for conferences, events, fundraisers, and even weddings! Forgive me, but it's the last place I would choose for a wedding.
According the Wikipedia, the gaol is "it is the only remaining Victorian era former prison in Northern Ireland." It incarcerated men, women, and
... show moreThe Crumlin Road Gaol (the British spelling of "jail") is another tourist attraction in Belfast. I spent a morning there. It didn't hold my attention as well as the Titanic museum did, but I'm glad I went. I was expecting to be presented with a lot of information about The Troubles. There was some, but it was not the primary focus. The gaol was built in the mid-1800s and was used until it was finally closed in 1996. If you follow the link above, and look at the website, you'll see that the jail is available as a venue for conferences, events, fundraisers, and even weddings! Forgive me, but it's the last place I would choose for a wedding.
According the Wikipedia, the gaol is "it is the only remaining Victorian era former prison in Northern Ireland." It incarcerated men, women, and children. If I remember correctly, kids could get sent to prison for playing football (soccer) in the street! I'm glad that law has been taken off the books.
The gaol is directly across Crumlin Road from the courthouse, which is also retired, but, sadly, is in much worse shape than the gaol is.
The gaol and the courthouse on YouTube
