The Jail Tea Room
What does a Tea Room have to do with a jail? I was asking myself that question after I paid for my admission to the Kilmainham Goal (Jail) in Dublin Ireland. I was told that I could wait in the Tea Room or Gift Shop for the tour to start.
It seemed odd to me that they would have a Tea Room in one of Ireland’s most famous jails. I realize that tourists need to be eat but what are the powers that be trying to accomplish by calling it a Tea Room. Why not just call it a Snack Bar or Cafeteria?
Has anyone ever said “Let’s meet at the jail for a spot of tea.” I doubt it but there is a first time for everything.
It turns out that the Tea Room was really just a small snack bar with a bunch of tables, so you might want to skip the date at the “Tea Room.” I would however take the tour of the Gaol to learn about its interesting history.
Kilmainham Gaol
Juliann says
June 14, 2012 at 8:45 AMMaybe tea rooms in Ireland are akin to smoking lounges in other places? I know my Irish ex-husband’s family was rarely without tea (or cigarettes, for that matter).
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Jeff says
June 14, 2012 at 9:39 AMIt just seemed odd to me that they would call it a Tea Room. When I think of a Tea Room I think of a fancy place that you dress up to go to and have tea and small sandwiches.
Jeff recently posted..Why is there a Tea Room in a Jail?
Nomadic Samuel says
June 18, 2012 at 6:04 PMThat is interesting! I would never have expected to see a tea-room in a jail.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Untamed Americas | Coatis at Iguazu Falls, Argentina
Jeff says
June 18, 2012 at 6:08 PMI thought it was strange to call it a tea room. I am sure that the prisoners did not have a tea room when the jail was open.
Christine says
July 18, 2012 at 4:33 AMSounds pretty hoity-toidy to me!
This is Ireland… why not skip the tea, sandwiches and crackers and just wheel in the bar?
Jeff says
July 18, 2012 at 8:49 AMThey probably did not put a bar in because they did not want to compete with the nearby Guinness brewery museum.
Jeff recently posted..The Titanic Museum in Belfast Ireland
Amy says
July 24, 2012 at 10:56 AMI found it amusing as well! The British and Irish love their tea, I think that’s it. : )
–Amy
Christy says
July 25, 2012 at 11:58 AMWe drank more tea in Ireland than anywhere else! So I agree with the notion that the Irish just love their tea, but it is an odd name for a snack bar in a jail…
Christy recently posted..Photo Essay: Ring of Kerry
Jeff says
July 25, 2012 at 1:08 PMI always expect things to be different when I travel and look forward to them. This one was just too strange to not talk about.
Jeff recently posted..The Titanic Museum in Belfast Ireland
Ella says
September 10, 2012 at 10:57 PMTea room in england, scotland and ireland are not classed as posh places but more like little coffee shops or cafeterias. I am from Scotland 🙂