The Marshalsea, Dublin facts for kids
| Location | near the rear of Bridgefoot Street, Dublin |
|---|---|
| Status | defunct |
| Population | debtors |
| Notable prisoners | |
| Patrick D'Arcy, William Rufus Chetwood, Daniel O'Carroll | |
The Marshalsea, Dublin was an old prison in Dublin, Ireland. It was known as a debtor's prison, which means it held people who owed money and couldn't pay their debts. It was located near Bridgefoot Street.
What Was The City Marshalsea?
The Marshalsea prison in Dublin got its name from a famous prison in Southwark, England, which was also called the Marshalsea. That English prison closed in 1842.
After another prison called The Black Dog closed in 1794, the City Marshalsea became known as the worst prison in Dublin. It was run by private owners who wanted to make money from it. Sometimes, the families of prisoners could also live there. This helped protect them from people they owed money to.
In 1802, a report said that the City Marshalsea was falling apart and wasn't safe anymore. It was clear that a new prison was badly needed.
Later Uses and Demolition
In 1803, a famous Irish rebel named Robert Emmet used the Marshalsea as a secret place to store weapons. Later in the 1800s, the Dublin Militia, a local army group, used it as a place for soldiers to live.
The building then stood empty for several years. It was finally torn down in 1975. Some of its stones were used to help repair the old City Wall near Cook Street.
