Two questions about 2016 Easter Rising Commemoration, Maze Prison

Geor, we enjoyed a Black Taxi tour in Belfast, driving through-and getting out and walking around a bit-some of The Troubles areas. There are many cabbies/tour guides who do this, we used Norman Reilly, and his buddy John actually showed up to meet us at Belfast Central Station. It was fantastic.

Not sure about Maze Prison, but there is the Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast which I'm sure would be interesting:

http://www.crumlinroadgaol.com/

By a Google search of Easter Rising centennial I find these articles, lots of info online about it, good luck!

http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/easter-rising-commemorative-programme-revealed-1.2160368

http://www.centenarynews.com/article/Irish%20government%20launches%20year%20of%20commemorations%20for%201916%20Easter%20Rising

https://www.facebook.com/EasterRising100thAnniversary/

I second Dave's recommendation of Norman. He's great and will take you to both neighborhoods at the heart of the conflict, which are amazingly close to each other.

I don't know about Maze Prison but Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin is open for tours. It's where the partisans from the Rising were held and executed. A worthy stop, and not far from the Guinness Storehouse ;)

Only one of the H-Blocks remains standing at The Maze, alongside the prison chapel and hospital wing. Everything else has been demolished, and probably what remains would have gone too if they hadn't been listed.

There is no general access although this can sometimes be possible through tour operators etc.