Sligo's 200-year-old jail could be turned into a 'key tourism attraction'
Built in the 1800s, Sligo Gaol housed inmates such as Michael Collins and a former Hollywood actor.
A SLIGO-BASED COMMUNITY group wants to turn an old jail in the west of Ireland into “key tourism attraction” for the region.
The Friends of Sligo Gaol has sought the help of consultants to carry out a feasibility study and assess the possibility of opening the 19th-century jail in Sligo town to the public.
The jail was constructed in Sligo between 1815 and 1822 and was operational until 1956.
It housed some prominent political figures, including Charles Stewart Parnell, Michael Davitt and Michael Collins. Former boxer and Hollywood actor Jack Doyle also served four months hard labour at Sligo Gaol in 1947 for issuing a cheque that bounced.
Since its closure, the complex has remained largely vacant and several aspects of the jail, including its tread mill, portions of the cell blocks, the infirmary, female prison and parts of the front boundary wall have been demolished.
The grounds were also altered by Sligo County Council to make room for the construction of a fire station.
An interior shot of Sligo Gaol
A tender issued by Friends of Sligo Gaol, which will be seeking funding from the LEADER programme to pay for the report, said the former jail could be an “asset for the community”.
The commissioned study of the jail would examine the complex and identify appropriate options for future uses of the remaining aspects of the historic structures that are still intact.
Following the assessment period, the body or individual awarded the tender will be expected to outline a number of recommendations in relation to the most appropriate development options for Sligo Gaol.
The recommendations would include a plan to deliver the suggested project and a review of potential funding sources. A conservation plan for Sligo Gaol previously proposed opening the jail to tour-based activities.
The report also noted that the complex is of “great significance” to the country because it is one of the only surviving examples in Ireland of a jail with a polygonal plan form.
It added that the cell blocks contain substantial quantities of archive material of potential historical interest.
A layout of Sligo Gaol
Neglected
According to figures released by Fáilte Ireland, Sligo is one of the least-visited counties on the Wild Atlantic Way.
The State body that oversees the development of Ireland’s tourism sector has admitted that the west of Ireland initiative has fallen short of attracting overseas visitors to counties like Donegal and Sligo despite its success in other regions.
Last year, local campaign group Revive Northwest said a motorway network between Sligo and other major Irish urban hubs is needed to give the region’s industrial and tourism sector “a fighting chance”.
