Crumlin Road Gaol – Belfast
During our visit to Northern Ireland, Erin and I spent time exploring Belfast, a capital city layered with history. One of the most powerful places we visited was Crumlin Road Gaol.
Opened in 1846, Crumlin Road Gaol operated for more than 150 years and housed prisoners during the turbulent chapters of Irish history including the Irish War of Independence and The Troubles. The prison was designed to isolate, control and intimidate.
One of the most sobering rooms was the execution room, where the noose still hangs. Between 1854 and 1961,17 men were executed by hanging at Crumlin Road Gaol. The last execution took place in December 1961, closing a chapter that spanned more than a century.
Another haunting location is the underground tunnel that once connected the prison to the courthouse across the street. Prisoners were moved through the passage out of public view, as they were led to trial, sentencing or execution.
Crumlin Road Gaol was a site of early hunger strikes during the years surrounding the Irish War of Independence. Prisoners here would refuse food in an effort to be recognized as political prisoners.
Read More From Nancy
Ubatuba – Brazil
After the completion of our teaching program in Brazil, we headed to Ubatuba to relax. Tucked along the northern coast of Sao Paulo state, this laid-back coastal town is lush with greenery and the rhythm of waves rolling onto the shore. Ubatuba is famous for its beaches, each with its own personality. There are quiet coves […]
Frida Kahlo Museum – Mexico City
In 2018, Erin and I had the opportunity to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico City: La Casa Azul. This vibrant blue home is where she was born, lived, created and ultimately died. Walking through her sunlit courtyard and rooms, we felt the presence of a woman whose life was defined by color and resilience. Physical […]
A Few Unforgettable Days in Greece
The big travels, the ones that take days of planning, always feel like special journeys. Our few days in Greece was one of those trips of 2025, and it did not disappoint. I had long wanted to walk the ancient streets of Athens and stand before the Acropolis. To finally be there, surrounded by history, […]
