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
Maybe 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).
Juliann recently posted..Hong Kong
It 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?
That 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
I 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.
Sounds pretty hoity-toidy to me!
This is Ireland… why not skip the tea, sandwiches and crackers and just wheel in the bar?
They 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
I found it amusing as well! The British and Irish love their tea, I think that’s it. : )
–Amy
We 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
I 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
Tea room in england, scotland and ireland are not classed as posh places but more like little coffee shops or cafeterias. I am from Scotland 🙂