Moon Mausoleum
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In the old Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, there are still prisoners that never got out. Strange occurrences for those that have worked there, tells that the prison is haunted by the former inmates, and some of them are more dangerous than others.
In the old Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, there are still prisoners that never got out. Strange occurrences for those that have worked there, tells that the prison is haunted by the former inmates, and some of them are more dangerous than others.
Dublin, a city steeped in history and rich in tales of the past, boasts many sites that have witnessed significant events. One such place is Kilmainham Gaol, a foreboding structure of a prison with a chilling history that extends beyond its closure in 1924.
Although Europe’s largest unoccupied prison, Kilmainham Gaol has earned a reputation for its spectral inhabitants who continue to roam its corridors and cells.
Kilmainham Gaol, situated in County Dublin, has a storied past dating back over 200 years. Built in 1796, the prison initially housed criminals from various backgrounds, but it is most famously associated with its role during Ireland’s fight for independence. The gaol became a symbol of oppression, as many of Ireland’s most prominent political and revolutionary figures were incarcerated within its grim confines.
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The prison was really made to be a better place to serve time than in the old gaol, however, it soon faced the same problem: overcrowding. This led to disease, poor hygiene and there wasn’t even a proper separation between the men, women and children serving time.
That meant those imprisoned for just stealing a loaf of bread because of hunger were thrown in with notorious murderers and rapist, and there was little to no help to avoid those that wanted to hurt you.
The cramped cells, imposing stone walls, and eerie silence that permeates the gaol today are chilling reminders of the past. Kilmainham Gaol’s significance lies not only in its role as a place of incarceration but also as a site of execution and public hangings that took place at its entrance.
In 1960, the Kilmainham Gaol Restoration Committee was formed to preserve this historic site, but those involved in the restoration quickly found themselves entangled in paranormal phenomena. These eerie encounters have left a lasting impression on all who have attempted to breathe new life into the gaol’s history.
Governor Dan McGill, who resided in the old warden’s quarters while overseeing the restoration efforts, experienced one particularly chilling incident. One night, he was startled to see the lights in the old chapel suddenly turn on after he had just switched them off. Intrigued and unnerved, he ventured to the chapel, only to find it empty. Repeatedly turning off the lights and returning to his quarters, McGill was confused to see them inexplicably illuminate again when he peered out the window.
Other restoration workers shared equally spine-tingling experiences. One worker, tasked with renewing the Echoing Corridor, recounted hearing unexplained footsteps ascending the stone stairs and echoing through the hallway behind him. These eerie footsteps would cease, only to start again intermittently throughout the day.
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In another instance, a worker heard approaching footsteps, but upon looking up, saw no one. The only evidence of a presence was an icy chill that enveloped the air. These spectral footsteps, reminiscent of a soldier’s brigade, were a recurring theme in the gaol’s unsettling history.
There are not only vague signs of hauntings like a flickering light or the sound of footsteps that have been told in Kilmainham Gaol. In one instance, the supposed ghost turned violent:
One man claimed that while he was painting in the dungeon, he was thrown across the room and pinned to the wall by some kind of force he couldn’t see, nor touch. He struggled to get free and when he was able to escape he promised he would never return to that place ever again.
Who are the ghosts haunting the prison, long after their time is served? There have been no particular names, but it is believed to be a crowd of those that used to serve time there, and perhaps never got out again.
Kilmainham Gaol, with its chilling history and the lingering presence of restless spirits, remains a captivating and haunting site. Its role in the struggle for Irish independence has forever etched it into the annals of history, and the paranormal encounters reported during its restoration only add to its mystique.
Visitors to Kilmainham Gaol today can stand in the very places where Irish revolutionaries spent their final days, experience the eerie echoes of footsteps in echoing corridors, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of the spectral inhabitants who continue to call this imposing prison home.
Kilmainham Gaol Dublin – A Haunting History | Authentic Vacations
