Cork City Gaol, Cork (must see)

The Cork City Gaol is a museum houses inside a former prison. The building was completed in 1818 from a design by William Robertson in the Georgian Gothic architectural style. Sculptor John Hogan worked as draughtsman for the gaol. Hogan later achieved acclaim for his artwork and is now known as one of Ireland's greatest sculptors.

The gaol opened as a prison for both men and women who committed crimes within the city of Cork. It became a prison only for women in 1878 and re-opened as a co-ed prison in 1922. The gaol closed the following year.

Crimes committed by those remanded at the gaol were often petty crimes that would be overlooked today. Using obscene language or drinking alcohol were possible crimes that would lead to time in the gaol. In 1919, Constance Markievicz, the first woman in British Parliament, was imprisoned for a rousing speech.

The gaol building was used as a radio station from 1927 through the 1950s. It was also used as storage for government offices. The remainder of the building and grounds fell into ruin from disuse and lack of upkeep.

The Cork City Gaol reopened in 1993 when it was transformed into a museum. It offers exhibits that detail the history of the gaol including a radio museum.