The Gaol, is one of three buildings by architect John Hanly, the other two being the Military Barracks and the Courthouse. There existed already a Bridewell in Pound St but this was fast running out of space....especially now that Tipperary had been split into two ridings...a suitable place for incarceration was required for North Tipperary. After two years of construction it was finally opened for business in July of 1842. Although not quite as brutal as Lincoln prison, it was built on the same central hub model with Prisoner wings radiating from a central hub. Each wing had its own exercise yard and each wing could be isolated and contained if necessary. The prison also doubled as a place of refuge with officers of the North Tipperary Militia hiding within its walls during the Nenagh Mutiny of 1856. It would later hold the mutineers themselves awaiting trial for participation but thats for another page. When the Gaol was decommissioned, it was handed over to the Sisters of Mercy who moved from their old residence in Abbey Lane. They set about removing Prison Wings and took down some of the imposing walls to build a convent and school.

The imposing Triumphal Arch shaped entrance and facade which had to be rebuilt due to the crumbling of the original inferior stone which had been used. The statue stands at the entrance to the raised scaffold at the place of execution

This picture shows the slots in the pediment over the entrance. This would have held the wooden beams from which the noose would have been suspended. The unfortunate would have been led through the window where the statue is, the noose secured around his neck and then he was launched into eternity above friends and family below. As was common for the time, all executions were in public, although the Cormack Brothers execution was significant by the locals showing their disapproval by staying away and shutting all shops.

The gaol entrance from within the walls

The driveway and entrance to the Governors House. Metal Walkways radiated out from this building to each prison wing

Some of the Hub versions of Gaols that share a similar pattern to Nenagh

In this valuation register of 30/03/1848 we get a picture of the exact layout of the Gaol. It had separate hospitals for males and female prisoners, two treadmills, separate wings for prisoners, Apartments for the Matron and various offices throughout the grounds. The warders would have lived in Graces St as the cottages there were built for that purpose. An underground passage connected the Courthouse to the prison to provide secure transfer of prisoners.

Punishment & Execution

Prisoner register 28/01/1843 - Vagrancy and prostitution

Prisoner Register 12/02/1844 - Theft, Assault and Prostitution

Gaol for the crime of stealing potatoes during the Famine. One wonders from looking at the Petty Sessions book if a guaranteed meal a day was worth the sacrifice of liberty. For many it appears they would have no choice

The remaining walls in 1933. The convent has overtaken most of the site with some buildings remaining and re-purposed

The sole remaining wing of the gaol...all the others having been demolished