An account of the history and people of Kilmainham Jail from one of the guides whose love and enthuaism for the building and it's former occupants shines through her descriptions of this imposing building with it's 40 shades of grey, that I spent a few years working opposite. For a building that occupied my skyline I thought I knew a little about it but this added to my knowledge. The variety of people who passed through, from the famous to the nameless is impressive and the different ways they coped and were treated makes this come quite alive. ( )

I loved reading this book because I once worked for a Summer as a guide in Kilmainham Gaol when Niamh worked as archivist. She is passionate about the Gaol and it comes across in the book. The atmosphere of the gaol is captured perfectly. She has written it in an informal style without an index although its incredibly well researched.