Maze (HM Prison)

HM Prison Maze (known colloqually as The H Blocks, Long Kesh or The Maze) is a disused prison sited at the former RAF station at Long Kesh (it is still called Long Kesh by many Irish Republicans) near Lisburn, nine miles outside Belfast, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The name "Maze" is taken from the village of the same name near the prison. The prison and its inmates have played a prominent role in recent Irish history, notably in the 1981 Irish Hunger Strike. The prison was closed in 2000.

Future

A monitoring group was set up on 14th January 2003 to debate the future of the 360 acre site. With close motorway and rail links, there are many proposals including a museum; a multi-purpose sports stadium and an office, hotel and leisure village. At the time of writing in late 2005 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3493587.stm, a feasability study is currently underway for a national soccer stadium. More detailed information can be found on the official website.

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