I finally got to take photos inside Sligo Gaol (or jail) this week. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time but it isn’t open to the public. Siobhan the Heritage Officer let Sarah (Derelict Nation) and I for a look around on Monday. The prison was open from 1823-1959, it was also known as the Cranmore Hotel.
Siobhan showed us this aerial photo that was taken in 1947. Much of the prison has been demolished, although we got to look around the part that remains. The governor’s house is still there but is now used for offices. It’s odd to see cars parked on what would have been the exercise yard.
As we walked in this was the room we entered. It’s really just left as it was when the prison closed.
All the cells are numbered and each one had a system where the prisoner could pull a cord if they needed attention from the warden, the number of the cell would turn outwards, so the warden could see at a glance which cell it was. The odd thing is that the doors open outwards…not very safe for the wardens I would have thought.
There is a lot of information about the jail on Sligotown.net it’s very interesting and well worth a read.
These photos were taken with a Canon 100D which is a great little DSLR camera that Canon-Ireland have lent me. I’ve had fun trying it out, this blog is the first of many with it. The most interesting photo I took is the one below, as soon as I walked into the cell I could see a face in the paintwork….can you see it? When I downloaded the photos I could actually make out a few faces!…Spooky.
Can you see anything?
I can see two faces 🙂
Amazing. That’s really interesting with the numbers on the walls. I can see one face on left but that’s it!
It was fascinating looking around. I only saw one face to begin with and that was the one on the left but when I look at a larger image I saw more.
I never knew there was a jail in Sligo.
I suppose the doors open out so that the wardens could see everything in the cell, and the prisoner couldn’t hide behind the door…
I couldn’t see any faces!
Fascinating post. Layers of paint peeling away the layers of suffering.
[…] climbed mountains, visited derelict buildings, taken boat trips, explored an old gaol and a free masons lodge. I’ve had a look around a theatre and enjoyed many shows throughout […]
Very interesting Val, it’s a lot brighter than Kilmainham which I found a nightmare to photograph. I definitely see two faces, spooky….
Fantastic photos val. yes you can see a lot
Of different things in the photo.a great part of Sligo heritage. And it does a have a spooky eerie look to it
Thanks Cathy
Can anyone see a figure in the photo with the number 52, if you look at the top left of the image at end of corridor, I can see a figure which to me looks like someone having there hands on there hips in a standing position. The face in the last image is a haunting face of a what i’d say appears to be a terrified person. Great Images would love to have a wander around here on my next visit to Sligo.
I’ll have to look again Lynn
Very interesting yes I could see 2 faces I also believe SligoJail was the smallest in the British Isles and was mentioned in the Guinness book of records. Thanks for sharing
[…] There are so many corridors and rooms in the house. I quickly lost my bearings. It really reminded me of Sligo Gaol in parts though, the ceilings were very much the same design. […]
this is really interesting,I’d love to get a chance to go there myself,
How long were you allowed spend in there?…
really nice work!
Hi Kevin, I was there for a couple of hours. They are hoping to open the gaol next year. It’ll be worth keeping an eye on this site https://www.facebook.com/SligoGaol?fref=ts
thanks alot Val.
great work,
You’re welcome, I hope you get in there.
My grandfather was the last govener of Sligo goal and turned the key to close it on the first of June 1956 . Only a few prisoners in his time there and he used to have them in his home for dinner and if they were local they we’re let go home on the promise they would be back by 6am , changed times.
John moody
That’s amazing John! Times have changed for sure.
Amazing ! I can see more than two faces. Sligo (Mum’s home town) creeps me out. I’ve been to Kilmainham (sp?) Must try to get to Sligo. Thanks for sharing. xx
I hope they open it to the public. I like Kilmainham too but I didn’t see any faces there