Wreath Making
Two hours in the Matron's Room with foraged Wicklow evergreens, dried oranges and red berry. Take your wreath home.
Sat afternoons · 14:00
DRAFT PRICE · €45
Wicklow Town · Ireland21 November — 20 December 2026Free entry to the market
21 Nov — 20 Dec 2026A Victorian
A Victorian
Christmas, within the walls
Step behind the heavy iron gates of Ireland's most atmospheric historic Gaol. A free Christmas market, candlelit corridors, and a season of bookable festive experiences in Wicklow Town.
Free market every weekendDaidí na Nollag visitsA Christmas Carol by candlelightVictorian carousel & funfairWreath making in the Matron's roomAfternoon tea by the fireChoral evenings at sunsetFree market every weekendDaidí na Nollag visitsA Christmas Carol by candlelightVictorian carousel & funfairWreath making in the Matron's roomAfternoon tea by the fireChoral evenings at sunset
The season at the Gaol
For five weekends, the stone walls of the 1702 Gaol soften under candlelight, holly and woodsmoke. The market is free. The history is unchanged. The welcome is warmer than you'd expect.
Free Admission · Every Weekend
The Christmas MarketFifty stalls, woodsmoke,
Fifty stalls, woodsmoke,
and the gaol gates open.
Wander the cobblestone yards transformed by lantern-light and the scent of spiced cider. Ironworkers from the gaol forge, bakers from the Wicklow hills, florists with holly cut that morning. No ticket, no booking — just walk in through the iron gates.
- When
- Sat & Sun · 11–18:00
- Where
- Inner Courtyard
- Cost
- Free
- Dogs
- On the lead, welcome
Festive experiences
Pre-booking essential
№ 01Free with market admission
Daidí na Nollag
An audience with the traditional Irish Father Christmas, held by candlelight in the Governor's old study. He keeps the great register on his knee and asks each child their name, in Irish or in English. A small wrapped gift for every visitor.
- When
- Weekends, 11:00 – 17:00
- Where
- The Governor's Study
- Booking
- Pre-book a 10-minute slot
DRAFT PRICE · €15 per childBook a slot
№ 02A promenade performance, within the walls
A Christmas Carol
Follow Scrooge from his counting-house to a cold cell, then on through the corridors of the gaol with the Ghosts of Christmas. Forty-five minutes of theatre that uses the stone walls themselves as its set. Not recommended for under-tens.
- When
- Fri & Sat evenings, 18:30 & 20:00
- Runs
- 45 minutes
- Capacity
- 20 per performance
DRAFT PRICE · €22 per ticketBook the tour
№ 03In the Outer Yard
Carousel & Funfair
A restored Victorian carousel, lit by hundreds of Edison bulbs, turning slowly in the snow. Helter-skelter, swing-boats, hook-a-duck. Hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts from the gaol kitchen window.
- When
- Every market weekend
- Tokens
- Bought on-site
- Suits
- All ages
DRAFT PRICE · €5 per ride tokenPlan your rides
Also bookable
Small groups · pre-book
Book →
Victorian Afternoon Tea
Mince pies, fruitcake, scones with cream, and a pot of strong tea in the candlelit Governor's parlour. Pianist most afternoons.
Daily · 14:30 & 16:00
DRAFT PRICE · €32
A Victorian Tradition
The Good List Register
Every child who visits the Gaol this season has their deeds weighed in the Governor's ledger. Sign your name on arrival — it may appear here.
Registry No. 1826December · 2026
- Master Albie Byrne
- Miss Eilís O'Shea
- The Murphy Children
- Master Liam Kelly
- Miss Síve Doyle
- Master Finn Walsh
- Miss Aoife Cullen
- Master Oisín Gallagher
Entries continue overleaf →Check for your name
“Let every visitor be remembered, and every kindness recorded.”
— The Governor's Journal, 1872
Know before you go
The practical bits
Opening times
Market: Sat & Sun, 11:00–18:00 Daily tours: 10:00–17:00 Evening performances: Fri & Sat
Getting there
Kilmantin Hill, Wicklow Town 45 min by car from Dublin Wicklow rail station: 10 min walk Limited free parking — CONFIRM
Accessibility
Ground-floor market fully accessible. Upper corridors via stone stairs only. Assistance available — please ask at the gate.
Questions