Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast: History and Visitor Guide (2026)
Last reviewed: June 2026
Few buildings tell the story of Belfast like Crumlin Road Gaol. For 150 years it held everyone from Victorian child prisoners to suffragettes, republican and loyalist internees, and some of the most famous names in Irish history. Today you can walk its wings, stand in the condemned man’s cell and descend the tunnel beneath the road — this guide covers both the history and the practical details for a visit.
A short history of the Crum
The gaol was designed by Sir Charles Lanyon — the architect behind much of Victorian Belfast — and built between 1843 and 1845, modelled in part on Pentonville in London. It opened in 1845–46, when its first 106 inmates, men, women and children among them, were marched roughly 11 miles in chains from Carrickfergus. The prison was built for the Victorian “separate system”, which kept prisoners isolated from one another in single cells — a regime intended to encourage reflection, which in practice often caused deep psychological harm.
An underground tunnel links the gaol to the former courthouse across the Crumlin Road, built so prisoners could be moved securely between trial and cell. Seventeen men were executed at the gaol; until 1901 hangings took place publicly, watched by crowds of thousands, before an execution chamber was built inside. The best-known execution is that of 19-year-old IRA member Tom Williams in 1942, but the last was Robert McGladdery in December 1961 — also the last execution ever carried out in Northern Ireland.
Across its life the Crum held some remarkable prisoners: Éamon de Valera (detained in 1924 after entering Northern Ireland illegally), a young Ian Paisley (three months for unlawful assembly in 1966), Martin McGuinness in the 1970s, and — it is widely reported — Bobby Sands on remand before his transfer to the Maze. During the Troubles thousands of republican and loyalist prisoners and internees passed through its gates. The gaol finally closed on 31 March 1996 and, after restoration, reopened to visitors in 2012.
Visiting in 2026: tickets, hours and what you’ll see
The main offering is the self-guided Crumlin Road Gaol Experience with audio/video guides and interactive cells, taking around 60–90 minutes. Fully guided 90-minute tours run on limited dates (released about a week ahead) and add areas such as the holding cells and graveyard. Booking online at least a day ahead is cheaper than paying at the door.
| Ticket (2026) | At the door | Online (book 1+ day ahead) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £18.50 | £17.50 |
| Child (5–15) | £12.00 | £10.50 |
| Concession (60+/student) | £17.00 | £15.50 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children) | £55.00 | £49.00 |
Prices were correct on the official site in spring 2026 — always check crumlinroadgaol.com before travelling. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 10:30–15:30 (last entry) and weekends 10:00–16:00. On the tour you’ll see the tunnel, the Centre Circle, C-Wing, the hanging cell and the governor’s office. Most of the site is wheelchair accessible (the tunnel is not — a video is provided instead), there’s a lift to C-Wing, free audio guides for visually impaired visitors, BSL video guides, and carers visit free.
Getting there
The gaol is at 53–55 Crumlin Road, Belfast BT14 6ST, about 1.7 km from the city centre. On-site parking is accessed via Cliftonpark Avenue and Summer Street. Translink Metro buses 57 and 12B stop outside Monday to Saturday. The Cuffs Bar & Grill and The Yard Café are on site.
Whisky, ghosts and gigs
Since April 2024, the gaol’s A-Wing has housed the J&J McConnell’s Irish whisky distillery — a £12 million project with its own guided tours, tastings and cocktail bar, booked separately through McConnell’s. After dark, the gaol leans into its reputation as one of Northern Ireland’s most haunted buildings with regular paranormal tours and four-hour investigations, especially around Halloween. It also hosts “Live at the Crum” concerts, Christmas party nights and weddings — a strange afterlife for a building with such a dark past, but one that has secured its preservation.
- Confusing the gaol with the courthouse. The derelict courthouse across the road is a separate building and is not part of the tour — though the tunnel that connected them is.
- Thinking Tom Williams was the last man hanged there. Williams (1942) is the most famous execution, but the last was Robert McGladdery in 1961.
- Turning up expecting a guided tour. The standard visit is self-guided; fully guided tours run only on limited dates released about a week in advance.
- Paying door price unnecessarily. Booking online at least a day ahead saves about £1–£6 per ticket.
- Assuming it was only a men’s prison. In its early decades the Crum held men, women and children; women were moved out when Armagh Gaol took over that role.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
Allow 60–90 minutes for the self-guided experience, longer if you add the café or distillery.
Is Crumlin Road Gaol suitable for children?
Yes — children aged 5–15 have their own ticket price and the museum content is handled sensitively, though the execution chamber may unsettle younger visitors.
Was anyone executed at Crumlin Road Gaol?
Seventeen men were hanged there between 1854 and 1961. Those executed after 1901 died in the internal execution chamber, which is part of the tour.
Is the gaol really haunted?
It’s billed as one of Northern Ireland’s most haunted buildings and runs regular paranormal events — whether you believe is up to you.
Can I visit the tunnel?
Yes, the tunnel under the Crumlin Road is included in tours, though it isn’t wheelchair accessible (an accessible video alternative is provided).
Who owned the prison — was it ever a working prison in living memory?
Very much so: it operated as HM Prison Belfast until 31 March 1996, holding paramilitary prisoners through the Troubles.
Related reading: What was the Maze Prison? · Gloucester Prison: history and tours · How to contact someone in prison today.
