Crumlin Road Gaol visits

In a recent statement on her visit to re-open the Crumlin Road gaol, the Minister for Social Development Margaret Ritchie MLA said “I want it to serve as a major symbol of hope and economic regeneration. Nothing brings a place to life more than getting people involved. I also intend to locate a number of DSD staff in the gaol as soon as we can get the office accommodation ready.”

The minister was visiting the gaol to announce the start of tourist visits to the prison on 13th June. They will take place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 12th September.

The last inmate in Crumlin Road Gaol left in 1996,a mere 12 years ago. In 2003 the Office of the First Minister took charge of the property and then sold it off to the Department for Social Development for redevelopment in 2006.

Creating vibrant and urban areas and cities is a high priority for the Minister. This area of Belfast is one of the biggest challenges and when completed will be one of the biggest successes of her department.

From the dark, dirty and lacklustre building that faced the Crumlin Road Courthouse, the site and the front façade have now become very attractive through it’s sympathetic preservation. The area also benefits from new paving, refurbished outer buildings and street lighting. Inside, visitors will see how the ex-prison has been transformed into one of the most attractive sites in Belfast. The restoration has created clean, open spaces alongside the confined cells that once housed some of Belfast’s most notorious criminals..

Last year when the prison reopened for a few months some 5,000 people enjoyed their visits to the gaol to see first hand the history and notoriety of it’s chequered past. This year, the former Execution Cell has been restored and is one of the main attractions at the gaol.

DSD are investing heavily in the regeneration of North Belfast, The 27 acre site where Crumlin Road gaol stands also includes the old Girdwood Barracks which stretches from Crumlin Road to Cliftonville Road. Development is ongoing and once completed will have transformed the area into a vibrant part of Belfast City.

Community Capacity Building has been the success of this project. Local people working together with Departmental staff include the local community, council workers, politicians and voluntary bodies. The North Belfast Community Action Unit (NBCAU) is working with others to encourage investment and jobs to this area of Belfast which has suffered social and economic deprivation for so long.

To visit the gaol, visitors need to book in advance through the Belfast Welcome Centre 47 Donegall Place. It will cost £5 for an adult or £3 (per person) in group bookings. Concessions are free. Visits recommence on Friday 13th June and will continue every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 12th September.

Full details about Crumlin Road, its history and its future are available on the department’s website. Here you can find out about all the work carried out by the NBCAU Crumlin Road Gaol page.