Wicklow Gaol is set to reopen its doors later this month following a major refurbishment programme and the appointment of a new operator, more than a year after the popular tourist attraction closed last September.
Wicklow County Council has confirmed that Coredale Limited has been appointed to manage the historic site following a public procurement process. The company has secured an initial two-year lease, with plans to introduce updated exhibitions, guided tours, markets and seasonal events.
The reopening will take place in stages, with the grounds opening first to host a Christmas market from November 21. The market will run every weekend until December 20, while guided tours of the gaol itself are scheduled to begin on November 27. Tours will then operate seven days a week.
Plans for the attraction also include monthly markets, summer events and a programme of seasonal activities. The Governor's Table Café is expected to open shortly after the Christmas programme begins. A dedicated courtyard event space will also be available for weddings, private celebrations and other functions.
Over the past 12 months, Wicklow County Council has carried out extensive refurbishment works to prepare the building for its return as a visitor attraction.
The improvements include structural repairs, a new roof on the main tower and flat roof sections, window repairs and upgrades to fire safety systems.
An outdoor events area has also been developed, alongside a new access door from the upper car park, toilet facilities and a dedicated electricity supply. Further improvements include a complete electrical system upgrade and the installation of a more environmentally friendly heating boiler powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil.
Dating back to 1702, Wicklow Gaol has a long and significant history. It ceased operating as a prison in 1924 before undergoing restoration work in the 1990s. It reopened to visitors in 1998 and went on to become one of the town's best-known tourist attractions.
Its exhibitions explore several important periods in Irish history, including the 1798 Rebellion, the Great Famine, the War of Independence and the Civil War.
The reopening is expected to give the historic landmark a new lease of life while providing another boost for tourism and local businesses in Wicklow town.
Based on information released by Wicklow County Council.
