Today was a tour of the famous prison, Crumlin Road Gaol. History Moment: Crumlin Road Gaol, is a former prison situated on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is a Victorian era prison which opened in 1845 and closed in 1996. Men, women and children were jailed here. The prison has multiple wings and the location looked very familiar. (It looked like many movie sets). It was a sobering tour especially the execution wing. The execution room was hidden behind a bookcase next to the prisoner’s room. IRA and loyalists were both housed in the jail and divided by wings. The two groups had alternate times for the gym and dining area. There were bombings in the jail between the two groups. Hunger strikes by the IRA were also begun in this prison in the 70s.
After the tour, the four went to St. George’s market for lunch. Cultural Moment: St George’s Market is the last surviving Victorian covered market in Belfast. It is full of food which they viewed from the 2nd floor cafe. It is very hippie like with music from the 70s.
They then went to Victoria Square for the view.
Debbie did keep humming “I’m in the Jailhouse Now” by the Soggy Bottom Boys.
