A short history of the Gaol.

Crumlin Road Gaol was designed by Sir Charles Lanyon and was complete in 1845. Sir Charles Lanyon is also responsible for designing Belfast Castle, Queens University and Palm House in the Botanic Gardens. The Gaol stands four storeys tall and comprises of four wings. Its plans were based on The Pentonville Prison in London and inside its walls are 640 cells. 
 
The first prisoners arrived in 1846 and were brought in chains after being forced to walk from Carrickfergus. There were 17 executions at Crumlin Road Gaol – the remains of 15 are inside the Gaol walls today while two were re-interred in Milltown Cemetery.

The last hanging took place in 1961. A Newry man by the name of Robert McGladdery was hung for the murder of Pearl Gamble. In earlier years children were also imprisoned in the Gaol and it wasn't until 1858 that a law was introduced that protected children under the age of 14 from imprisonment.    
 
Crumlin Road Gaol closed its doors as a prison on the 31st March 1996. An estimated total of 25,000 people were imprisoned at the Gaol during its term.

The Northern Ireland Paranormal Research Association, (NIPRA), became involved with the Crumlin Road Gaol five years ago, recording a four part documentary with Gerry Anderson for Radio Ulster. (This is still available on the Radio Ulster archives.)

On Oct 2008, we were asked by the Glenravel Project in North Belfast to help them with their Historical Ghost Tours of the Gaol, which drew groups of 30 to 40 people each month. There had been personal reports of paranormal activity by the public on every occasion. We were then fortunate to gain full access to all levels of the jail over a four month period to conduct a full paranormal investigation. The NIPRA team had exclusive access to the amazing experience of being alone in the dark Gaol, at all times sensing the inmates, long gone, still watching us from their cells. It is not a place for the faint hearted.

Other paranormal occurrences which have been witnessed include

·         Prison wardens reporting strange goings on in the tunnel under the Crumlin Road to the Court House. Several recordings, on camcorder and digital voice recorder, of a man’s groan, sigh, cough and whistling have been taken and this was when we knew nobody else was present.

·         “D Wing”. Any guard that has worked in “D Wing” will tell you of the horrible atmosphere in this area. The feeling of dread and sadness is immediately apparent and from the basement to the third level, the entire wing seems to emit a ghostly and threatening feeling.  Each member of the NIPRA team had paranormal experiences here from doors being banged shut, objects being thrown across the rooms to a man seen standing at the doorway watching us.

·         “C Wing”. To look at this wing now, with it’s new paintwork and polished look, you would never know that it holds one of the most feared cells, where prisoners would spend their last days. Walking into “The Condemned Cell” you are aware of the bed, a bedside table and a bible with cross sitting on it. All seems peaceful until you walk through the room and come face to face with the noose hanging high. It is a sobering thought, when you stop and look at this, and realise that 17 people’s lives ended here although some still continue to make themselves known around the building. We had a heavy door slammed shut while we were in the cell two feet away and the cross ended up on the floor several feet from where it sits. Many other unexplainable events happen here.

·         “B Wing”. When you walk to the bottom of this wing, you will see the padded cell. Take a step in, close the door and see how long you can remain inside. With loud footsteps heard walking down the wing, you may also see the tall dark shape that seems to drift from cell to cell. Is this the spirit of a long gone warden still keeping watch over his wing.

·         Above is only a small account of what awaits the paranormal investigator in the Gaol, but there is much more to uncover.

·         Join NIPRA and let us take you on a journey into this building. Help us investigate the tunnel, “B Wing” and “C Wing”. Stand in the condemned cell and then walk down the stairs to the drop cell where the bodies hung for an hour before being prepared for burial. Come with us to the flogging cell and you may see the woman and child, sitting, crying in the dark corner.

For the believer no proof is necessary, for the non-believer no proof is possible ^{(Stewart Chase 1929)}