It's easy to get boozy on dates. But we want to help you guys try something different.
We've decided to pick up where the Rising fell – Kilmainham Gaol.
A revered site known most prominently for its role in 1916 – where many of Ireland's political prisoners were incarcerated, tortured and executed – and less prominently for its spooky prison vibes.
Ideal date territory then.
Let's break it down, shall we?
1. Risk Assessment
Suggesting this to your main squeeze will show that you're deep as the ocean and into freedom and stuff, which is always well received.
Probably best to go with a pre-booked tour guide rather than chancing your arm amongst 100+ pre-pubescent school kids and/or fanny pack wearing Americans.
2. Damage Control
If awkward moments arise, remember that history is super suggestive and has been massively warped over the years by both nay-sayers and Christianity, so feel free to throw out some random historical statement and watch them fawn over how wildly learned you are.
If you're up shit creek without a paddle, the historical site is served by the following Dublin busses: 23, 25, 25A, 26, 68 or 69.
But don't forget: you're literally in a prison here. And dem walls ain't built to scale. So tread carefully.
3. Scene And Be Seen
Unless you did history in college and one of your old course mates is working as a tour guide, the likelihood of you seeing someone you know is slim to zilch.
Although you may spot your little sister, as Kilmainham Gaol is like catnip to primary school teachers on tours.
4. Going Well?
So you've found out that outside, under the very ground you're standing on, is where they buried the child offenders, and you're still managing to sweep them off their feet? Look at you go.
You can keep on the cultural buzz by heading next door to IMMA, grab a bite to eat in the LimeTree Café or get a pint in any of the plethora or pubs surrounding the place.
We suggest The Royal Oak, just the cosy atmosphere you'll need after hearing about death for two hours.
5. Clothes
Comfy and warm, you'll be walking and standing for the best part of the day. Don't be a big eejit and wear heels on cobblestones. You've been warned.
6. Cost
Part of the Gaol is undergoing redevelopment at the moment, so at the minute you can frequent the castle for the low, low price of €4.
When the Gaol gets its shit together, it goes back to the normal price of €7. All very non-bank breakable.
7. Best Outcome
Do a Joseph Plunkett and get married in the prison chapel there and then. Go hard or go home.
Or, to be honest, getting out alive is quite a feat. Not many did in fairness, so pat yourself on the back.
8. Worst Outcome
The Rising 2.0 to break out while you're inside... that'd be unlucky.
Or in more realistic terms, your mates are going to echo ''I told you so'' for aeons afterwards, as you did in fact just take someone on an ill-fated date to an actual prison.
9. Overall Score
6.5/10. Bonus point if they've done their research, but take a point away for every time they utter ''Fuck, this is depressing''.
Robin Gill: The Irish chef behind acclaimed London restaurants returns to Dublin for a burger pop-up collab with Dash Burger This Saturday at Hen’s Teeth from 17:00 Robin Gill’s voice carries the easy lilt of someone who grew up within earshot of Dublin Bay, though his culinary career has largely unfolded across the Irish Sea. […]
A Skort by Any Other Name On a humid afternoon this weekend at St Peregrine’s GAA Club Blanchardstown, west of Dublin, thirty camogie players took the field not in the sport’s traditional skorts, but in shorts. They weren’t in war paint or waving placards but they may as as well have been. The Kilkenny and […]
Robin Gill: The Irish chef behind acclaimed London restaurants returns to Dublin for a burger pop-up collab with Dash Burger This Saturday at Hen’s Teeth from 17:00 Robin Gill’s voice carries the easy lilt of someone who grew up within earshot of Dublin Bay, though his culinary career has largely unfolded across the Irish Sea. […]
A Skort by Any Other Name On a humid afternoon this weekend at St Peregrine’s GAA Club Blanchardstown, west of Dublin, thirty camogie players took the field not in the sport’s traditional skorts, but in shorts. They weren’t in war paint or waving placards but they may as as well have been. The Kilkenny and […]
Robin Gill: The Irish chef behind acclaimed London restaurants returns to Dublin for a burger pop-up collab with Dash Burger This Saturday at Hen’s Teeth from 17:00 Robin Gill’s voice carries the easy lilt of someone who grew up within earshot of Dublin Bay, though his culinary career has largely unfolded across the Irish Sea. […]
A Skort by Any Other Name On a humid afternoon this weekend at St Peregrine’s GAA Club Blanchardstown, west of Dublin, thirty camogie players took the field not in the sport’s traditional skorts, but in shorts. They weren’t in war paint or waving placards but they may as as well have been. The Kilkenny and […]
The once-reliable rail line is now making people late, miserable, and poor. For months now, regular passengers have faced delays, confusion, crowding, and rising fares. At the core of the problem is a pattern all too familiar in public transport systems: big-picture ambition undercut by everyday mismanagement.What happened in Dublin over the past six months […]
The once-reliable rail line is now making people late, miserable, and poor. For months now, regular passengers have faced delays, confusion, crowding, and rising fares. At the core of the problem is a pattern all too familiar in public transport systems: big-picture ambition undercut by everyday mismanagement.What happened in Dublin over the past six months […]
Remember 2007? Every Irish Leaving Cert oral exam was essentially a panic attack punctuated by shaky mentions of “cúlú eacnamaíochta.” Now, the discourse is back but 2025-ified. Instead of being pumped into us via well meaning language teachers, this time it is fuelled by TikTok sleuths dissecting every minor inconvenience as proof we’re already in […]
A survival guide for the tragically trendy now being bullied by signage. So. It’s sunny. You’ve got your tiny sunglasses on, your €17 graphic tee is cropped just enough to show the tattoo you got in a moment of heartbreak, and your Sambas have barely touched grass. You’ve done your civic duty and supported a […]
Waking up at 5AM is slightly more tolerable when there’s the Best Sunrise Views in Dublin and the opportunity to flex on main. There’s a specific kind of person who voluntarily wakes up at sunrise. They’re either spiritually awakened, deeply anxious, on a wellness bender, or just trying to feel something before the workday starts. […]