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Crumlin Road Gaol: Traveler Reviews

Crumlin Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland
02890 741500
Website
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Ranked #1 of 106 attractions in Belfast
Type: Historic Sites
Owner description: The Crumlin Road Gaol dates back to 1845 and closed it's doors as a working prison in 1996. After extensive renovations the gaol has re opened as a... more » Owner description: The Crumlin Road Gaol dates back to 1845 and closed it's doors as a working prison in 1996. After extensive renovations the gaol has re opened as a visitor attraction and conference centre. Today you can take a guided tour of the prison and hear about the history of the site from when women and children were held within it's walls through to the political segregation of republican and loyalist prisoners and learn about why the decision was taken to close the prison.During the tour of the gaol you will be taken by your tour guide to visit the underground tunnel that used to connect the gaol to the Crumlin Road Courthouse, you will get a chance to sit in the Governor's chair, view all the wings from the circle and of course pay a visit to the condemned mans cell before seeing the execution cell where the majority of the 17 men were hanged. « less
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227 reviews from our community

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uk
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
“highly recommended, good value, interesting tour through historic Belfast building”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 19, 2013

Took this tour this morning and was very impressed. Having grown-up in Belfast, the gaol was always a very foreboding building which featured frequently in news, so the drive-in, between the high prison walls, to park the car was a little eerie. The tour itself was very informative ( Lucy, our guide was fun and happy to answer questions) giving the history of the building and some of the prisoners incarcerated there over the years. It was cold throughout most of the visit, so if you are visiting in winter do, as advised, and wear warm clothing. Some of the tour is inaccessible for disabled visitors, but this is simply due to the age of the building and conservation restraints.Currently there is only a wee van for refreshments, but a cafe is due to open in March. Do book in advance, as even on a cold January morning, the tours were busy. There is ample car parking, although there is no signage for this from Crumlin Road. I would highly recommend this to both local and overseas visitors.

Visited January 2013
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
bestbelfasttour, Manager at Crumlin Road Gaol, responded to this review
January 31, 2013
Hi Georgia62uk

Thank you for taking the time to review your visit to Crumlin Road Gaol. I am glad to hear that you found the tour interesting. I will ensure that the team are made aware of all your comments including your tour guide Lucy.
We hope to see you again in the future when we develop other tours for the gaol.

Thank you
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ireland
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
“Creeperama!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 17, 2013

Great tour. Went as a hanger on with the Fulbright Scholars. Roy is an excellent tour guide, informative and entertaining. Read the other reviews to find out about the tour, it's a rainy night in Belfast, snow is forcast and I'm too tired :(

Visited January 2013
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 3 more reviews by travellingsilently for Belfast
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Co.Down
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
“An Excellent Addition to Things to do in Belfast”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 17, 2013

This is an excellent visit that brings an aspect of the history of Belfast to life. Our guide Roy was excellent in combining fact and detail with good auld Belfast banter. A trip that will be enjoyed by many people. I am looking forward to booking for the paranormal visit. Well done to everyone involved with this project.

Visited December 2012
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Redcar, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“A must have experience”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 15, 2013

Brilliant guided tour of the gaol, really interesting with loads of stories and facts. Next time we'll come at night for the ghost hunt!

Visited January 2013
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London, United Kingdom
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Sent to Gaol!!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 14, 2013

Guided Tour of a Prison, very interesting with some notable inmates over the years, a chill at the execution chamber and the conditions that existed years ago opened the eyes

Visited December 2012
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
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