‘Each name, a story…’ is a powerful exhibition that brings to light the names of hundreds of men and boys who died on Spike Island between 1847 and 1883—a period defined by the devastation of the Great Famine and its aftermath. Established as a convict depot at the height of the crisis, Spike Island rapidly became one of the largest prisons in Britain, housing individuals, many driven to crime by poverty and desperation, in overcrowded conditions.
Drawing from archival sources and first-hand accounts, the exhibition offers a deeply human perspective on incarceration, exploring themes of survival, injustice and loss. It acknowledges the staggering death toll—over a thousand men are believed to have died while imprisoned on the island. Through carefully compiled data from transportation records in the Irish National Archives, ‘Each name, a story…’ presents one of the most comprehensive public lists to date of those who perished—many of whose names had long been lost to history.
‘Each Name, A Story…’ was curated by Dorota Gubbins, whose work brings together archival investigation, interpretive storytelling and curatorial sensitivity to recover these long-overlooked lives.
Combining historical research, artistic interpretation and commemorative intention, this exhibition invites reflection on the human cost of institutional systems, the fragility of memory and the importance of bearing witness. It does not seek to rewrite history, but to give space and voice to those who endured its harshest realities.
The exhibition is enriched by the work of artist Sinéad Barrett, who served as artist-in-residence on Spike Island in 2023. Sinéad’s series of evocative paintings responds to the psychological effects of isolation and imprisonment, using cold, desaturated tones and recurring motifs—windows, locks, chains—to reflect the mental weight of confinement. Her work serves as a contemporary response to historical trauma, creating a poignant bridge between past and present.
The names were sourced from the Transportation Register (1836–1857) held in the National Archives of Ireland, while the design was inspired by prison ledgers from that period, including those from Spike Island.
This year’s exhibition is proudly presented as part of the 2025 Cork Harbour Festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary from 24 May to 2 June. As one of over 100 events spanning the city and harbour, the exhibition contributes to Ireland’s largest celebration of maritime culture, storytelling and art by spotlighting a significant chapter in our shared history—one rooted in the harbour’s own island prison.
