Spike Island, Cobh, Co. Cork is a 24-acre fortress built in a stunning harbor setting. In the world ranking of natural harbors, Cork Harbor is second only to Port Jackson in Sydney!
Spike Island has played an integral role within the fabric of Ireland’s rich cultural, social, political, religious and historic past over multiple centuries. Scenically stunning, this is a vast, green island of 104 acres, with a vast history and story to match.
Spike Island Facts
- In today’s money, it would cost a billion Euro to build!
- Spike Island is 4 times larger than Alcatraz island and held 8 times as many prisoners!
- The largest ever prison in Ireland and Britain with 2300 inmates during the famine years.
- An island prison on 4 separate occasions, in the 1600’s, 1800’s, 1921 and 1985 to 2004.
Famous Visitors
- Queen Victoria sketched the island during a visit to Cobh in 1849 and a copy of the sketch is available to view on the island.
- Winston Churchill visited in 1911 as the then head of the Admiralty, inspecting this jewel in the British military.
- Irish President Eamon De Valera attended the island handover from Britain to Ireland in 1938.
Famous Residents
Learn the stories of the multiple residents who called Spike Island home over a 200-year period. See and hear recorded interviews with former residents which bring island living to life, many of whom lived on the island as recently as the 1980’s.
The residents include “Jack in the box”, the famous Victorian thief -James Grey would hide in a especially rigged luggage trunk and post himself from Liverpool to Ireland, jumping out mid-journey to rob the other luggage on the train carriage, earning the nickname ‘Jack in the box’. His cleaver crimes baffled the train company for years as valuables went missing. Eventually, he was discovered by a housemate who spotted stolen goods. He served 4 years on Spike Island
Meet ‘Little Nellie’, the little Irish girl who might be Ireland’s next saint! Ellen Organ lived on the island in the early 1900’s, she displayed miraculous qualities by wanting to take Holy Communion at a young age. Hearing this story, the Pope lowered the age of Communion from age 12 to 7 for all Catholics. See Nellie’s house and a recreation of her room on Spike Island.
The Irish freedom fighters, who fought for Ireland, learn how freedom fighters from the 1600’s to 1921 were held here for their struggles. Hear the story of John Mitchel, the man who inspired the revolutionaries who freed island.
Discover the fate of the 1400 men held here in 1921, many simply lifted off the streets, for fighting a war of independence against an unbeatable Empire.
The Spike Island Experience
How to Get there -Spike Island is accessible to Visitors by taking a ferry (15 minutes) from Cobh, Co Cork.
In the company of a local Cork crew, the adventure begins from Kennedy Pier, amidst the multi-colored houses and shop fronts of the Victorian heritage town of Cobh.
From there, on a brief 15 minutes journey, the ferry weaves its way through work boats and ships on Cork harbor, surrounded by wildlife from seals to birds, as views of the island draw closer and closer.
Once on the island, visitors are treated to 360-degree views of silver-blue waters, open skies and rolling hills.
During an action-packed and immersive experience, visitors learn about this island’s varied past as a home, fortress and a prison at the heart of the second largest harbor in the world!
Learn about the diverse roles Spike Island has played as a 7th century monastic site, as a fortress during the periods of the Napoleonic and American revolutions and as a prison for master and petty criminals from Victorian times, until 2004.
Prepare to be intrigued by the true stories of real people who lived on this island for more than 200 years; from the navy, military, prison guards and their families, to the prisoners, whose thwarted lives are shared with both stark honesty and compassion.
Walk the beautiful outer Island nature trails. There are 80 acres outside the fortress of beautiful nature, grassland and walking trails. Choose from a 1.4km or 2.4 kms loop, each with information boards and incredible harbor views. Spot seals, birds, wildlife and abandoned villages as you explore.
Prices include ferry, guided tour, full island access and return ferry. Cafe and gift shop on site.
Tour Offerings:
Standard/General tour includes:
Transfer to/from Spike Island by Ferry including 1-hour optional guided visit with an experienced guide and extensive time to explore the island on a self-guided basis on the day of the visit.
Bespoke Private ‘behind the scenes’ tour with ‘Spike Island rum’ tasting. (Minimum of 4 People)
Back in the 1600’s Irish convicts were held on Spike Island before being sent to the Caribbean islands as punishment for their crimes. The prison ships that carried them braved the pirate filled waters of the Caribbean Sea. These Irish men and women missed the Irish whiskey they enjoyed back home but soon discovered a new favourite, the local Caribbean rum savoured by the local people. 400 years later the rum is going the other direction, sent back to Ireland to be hand spiced for several months in oak barrels.
The Spike Island Rum Tasting tour includes a premium private small number guided tour with an expert guide. Includes 1 hour 30-minute tour length plus self-explore time, 3.5 hours total; Access to areas off limits to the public and finish off with a taste of ‘Spike Island rum’, exclusive to the island.
‘Taste the island’ Tour & drinks tasting
A premium private guided tour with an expert guide to include; 1 hour guided tour experience with an expert guide. Finish off with a tasting of ‘Spike Island rum’, premium product with links to the former island convicts sent to Barbados. Add another Irish drink like Irish whiskey or Bailey’s Irish cream on request and time to self-explore before exit.
After Dark Tour
Walk an abandoned prison, sit in a solitary cell. Experience a place of Punishment, once called ‘Ireland’s hell’. Hear the gruesome stories that cannot be shared on a day tour. See areas off limits to the public as visitors’ journey through 400 years of incarceration. Add a tasting of ‘Spike Island rum’ to this tour if you wish…….
Spike Island, a wonderful unique experience to add to your 2021 Emerald Isle tour….
Call us now to get working on your dream vacation………..
