Crumlin Road (HM Prison)
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HMP Belfast otherwise known as Crumlin Road Gaol is a former prison situated in north Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is the only Victorian era prison remaining in Northern Ireland and has been derelict since 1996.
Because of its architectural and historical significance the Environment and Heritage Service have given it a grade A listed building status. The Crumlin Road Courthouse, also derelict, stands opposite the Gaol. A tunnel under the main road connects the two buildings.
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[edit] History
Designed by Sir Charles Lanyon, the gaol was built between 1843 and 1845. Partly based on HM Prison Pentonville, it was one of the most advanced prisons of its day. Comprising four wings which are up to four stories in height, the gaol had 640 cells. The first inmates, who were forced to walk from Carrickfergus Prison in chains, arrived in 1846. Seventeen prisoners were executed there, the last being hanged in 1961.
For the last thirty years of its working life until it closed on 31 March 1996, Crumlin Road prison served as a remand centre for suspected terrorist and paramilitary prisoners awaiting trial.
During The Troubles several prison officers from HMP Belfast were killed by prisoners from both the republican and loyalist sides.
[edit] Past inmates
Past inmates at the prison include:
- Séanna Breathnach, IRA leader
- Eamon Collins, IRA informer
- Éamon de Valera, republican politician
- Paddy Devlin, nationalist politician
- David Ervine, loyalist politician
- Hugh McAteer, IRA leader
- Lenny Murphy, leader of the Shankill Butchers
- Kieran Nugent, IRA member
- Sean O'Callaghan, IRA informer
- Gusty Spence, loyalist politician
- Jimmy Steele, IRA leader
- Michael Stone, UFF gunman
- Tom Williams, IRA member executed in 1942
- Billy Wright, loyalist
[edit] Future plans
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This article or section contains information about a planned museum. It is likely to contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change as the construction and/or completion of the museum approaches. |
There are plans to develop the prison as a museum and film set. It opens to the public occasionally, the last time being September 2005. It is used for cultural events from time to time, including the screening of Frank Darabont's The Shawshank Redemption in 2001.
The North Belfast Community Action Unit has been charged with developing the site. £3.8m has been allocated from the sale of a former British Army base on the Malone Road.
