Author: Arek

Backwater Artists Group will present the work of four members Ciara Rodgers, Andrew Carroll, Anna Barden & Tina Whelan, as part of the Cork Harbour Festival 2024. The exhibition will explore maritime themes, the history of the Punishment Block and Fort Mitchel at Spike Island and the fort’s unique position in Cork Harbour through the mediums of drawing, performance, print and video. The opening event will include a performance by artist Ciara Rodgers, which will take the form of performative drawing actions engaging with the historical, physical and sensorial qualities of the building. The resultant drawings will be exhibited amongst the two spaces.

Find more information about the artists on their profiles. Follow the links below:

Andrew Carroll | Tina Whelan | Ciara Rodgers | Anna Barden

---

Cork Harbour Festival: 2 June – 7 July 2024

Cork Harbour Festival is the largest annual event in Cork Harbour offering a week-long celebration of Ireland’s maritime culture. The festival features over 80 different events – taking place in Cork City as well as in 15 harbour towns and villages.
Founded in 2015, the festival celebrates Cork Harbour as a natural and cultural resource, with the communities and their stories at the heart of it. Throughout festival week there is a huge variety of events to dive into, from water activities to guided walks, open days to open sails, seafood tasters to seaweed foraging and so much more.
Cork Harbour Festival attracts some 25,000 visitors from across Ireland and beyond.
Find more information about this year’s programme here.

 

At Spike Island, we are delighted to uphold our collaboration with Backwater Studio and contribute to this year’s involvement in the Cork Harbour Festival, celebrating Cork’s unique maritime heritage. Our venues feature exclusive art spaces housed within historic heritage buildings, boasting a storied history of nearly two centuries.
Led by Spike Island’s curator, Dorota Gubbins, our focus on heritage and the arts drives the coordination of diverse events.
Annually, Spike Island welcomes approximately 70,000 visitors from Ireland and around the globe.

 

Backwater Artists Group is an artist-led organisation, located on Wandesford Quay, in the heart of Cork City. Our mission is to support and advocate for visual artists, allowing them to thrive and to foster a deep appreciation and enthusiasm for the visual arts within the community and to keep sites of production at the heart of Cork city.
We are a key fixture in Cork’s cultural landscape and we sustain a thriving visual arts community. Since our inception in 1990, we have supported the practices of over 500 artists, including 150+ early career artists.

---

Exhibition Title: Deep Time
Artists: Andrew Carroll, Tina Whelan, Ciara Rodgers & Anna Barden
Dates: 2 June-7 July 
Opening Event: 4 – 6pm, Sunday 2nd June
Location: Punishment Block, Spike Island

 

At Spike Island, we’re celebrating our 86th birthday this year with our annual Family Fun Evening and Fireworks Display, commemorating the historic handover of Spike Island from Britain to Ireland in 1938. In honour of this momentous occasion, we’ll be celebrating our Independence Day with a spectacular fireworks display, musical performances and family fare on Saturday 13th July.

At this special Independence Day celebration, visitors will enjoy captivating entertainment and an abundance of family-friendly activities while immersing themselves in the island’s rich history.
Attendees can look forward to pop-up musical performances, face painters, and much more, ensuring a truly memorable experience for guests of all ages.
Visitors will board the ferry across the world’s second-largest natural harbour, enjoy a guided tour on arrival, explore the fort’s amazing museums and exhibitions and walk the amazing island nature trails. On this special night, there will also be family entertainment, children’s activities, musical performances, face painters and more.

As the night unfolds, the highlight of the event will be a spectacular fireworks display over Cork Harbour. A total of 1300 fireworks will illuminate the sky, symbolising the inmates who tragically lost their lives during Spike Island’s history as a prison in what promises to be a special tribute and a poignant reminder of the island’s past.

To facilitate the smooth flow of the event, boats will begin departing from 5.15pm. Early arrivals will have ample time to enjoy the island’s attractions and will also be among the first to depart the island after the event concludes. Return boats will commence at 10.30pm, departing every 10 minutes.
Visitors are advised to check their ticket times for the return boat, with the last departure scheduled for approximately 11.45pm.
Attendance for this special celebration is expected to be high, and therefore, advance online booking is essential.

This event is now SOLD OUT

To mark the 220th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone for Fort Westmoreland, Spike Island is hosting an exhibition entitled ‘Entwined History: Revealing Spike Island’s Forts’.

The new exhibition features the architectural plans from The National Archives that depict the construction and fortification of the fortress. Fort Westmoreland (now known as Fort Mitchel) stands as the third and final fortification constructed on the island.

The plans on display show the path from concept to reality as architects, engineers, craftsmen and masons worked together to create a fortress ready to withstand any attack.

Panels explaining the historical events that took place between 1776-1815 and Spike Island’s startegic importance during this period are also part of this exhibition.

We feature General Charles Vallancey, a man behind the design of Fort Westmoreland I.  The first edition of his book, ‘A Vindication of the Ancient History of Ireland’ published in 1786 is on display along with other artefacts related to the early stages of the fort and the Royal Artillery.

It’s worth noting that the only known photograph depicting convicts labouring during the constuction of the bastions at Spike Island, can be seen for the first time.

---

Exhibition date: June—September 2024
Location: Mitchel Hall, Spike Island

23 AUGUST | FRIDAY EVENING

Law & Disorder – Imran Mahmood in conversation with Neil Lancaster

Price per ticket: €
Boat in: 5pm – Return: 8pm

The 2024 Spike Island Literary Festival will be officially launched by much-loved Cork author Cónal Creedon.
The festival commences with Law and Disorder, an engaging conversation between acclaimed authors Imran Mahmood and Neil Lancaster. Delve into the intricacies of crime writing with these two masters of the genre as they discuss their inspirations and how their backgrounds in law and justice impact their storytelling. This event promises to offer unique insights into the world of crime fiction and the minds behind some of today’s most gripping narratives. Don’t miss the chance to witness a captivating conversation between two leading voices in contemporary literature.

Book Now

---

24 AUGUST | SATURDAY

Femme Fatale – Dr Marie Cassidy, Jo Spain & Arlene Hunt moderated by Michelle Dunne

Price per ticket: €
Boat in: 4pm – Return: 8pm

Join us for Femme Fatale, an intriguing panel event at the Spike Island Literary Festival featuring Dr Marie Cassidy, former State Pathologist and author, Jo Spain, renowned author and screenwriter, and acclaimed Irish crime novelist, Arlene Hunt. Moderated by author Michelle Dunne, this event will delve into the dark and fascinating world of crime writing as these leading female voices explore the art of suspense, forensic detail and creating compelling narratives.
Don’t miss the chance to engage with these distinguished authors and uncover the mysteries behind their thrilling novels.

Book Now

Meet the Agent

Looking for insider tips on getting your book published? In a rare opportunity, budding writers can meet with Nicky Lovick – Literary Agent with WGM Atlantic Talent & Literary Group – to receive feedback and gain tips on how to make their work stand out from the crowd. You will be required to submit a synopsis and the first three chapters of your work following your booking. In return you will get personalised feedback on the day as well as some written notes.

Book Now

---

25 AUGUST | SUNDAY

Silent Witness – Sinéad Crowley, Andrea Carter & Gill Perdue moderated by Amy Jordan

Price per ticket: €
Boat in: 12pm – Return: 3pm

Silent Witness, a compelling panel event, will see acclaimed authors Sinéad Crowley, Andrea Carter and Gill Perdue discuss the intricacies of their craft, exploring themes of suspense, crime and the human psyche. Moderated by Amy Jordan, this event promises to offer unique perspectives and fascinating discussions from some of the genre’s most talented writers. Delve into the minds of these brilliant writers as they explore the nuances of crafting suspense and the intricacies of their mysterious characters.

The Ten-Minute Hook – Michelle Teehan, Alice Bell & Tadhg Coakley moderated by Catherine Kirwan

Prior to the main panel event, Catherine Kirwan will be joined by authors Michelle Teehan, Alice Bell and Tadhg Coakley for The Ten Minute Hook. The first ten pages of a novel are the most important of the story and here, each author will discuss the art of intrigue and how they capture the reader’s attention in those all important ten minutes.

Book Now

24 AUGUST | SATURDAY

Meet the Agent

Price per ticket: €50
Boat in: 2 pm – Return: 5:30 pm

Looking for insider tips on getting your book published? In a rare opportunity, budding writers can meet with Nicky Lovick – Literary Agent with WGM Atlantic Talent & Literary Group – to receive feedback and gain tips on how to make their work stand out from the crowd. You will be required to submit a synopsis and the first three chapters of your work following your booking. In return, you will get personalised feedback on the day as well as some written notes.

Book Now

---

Nicky Lovick

Nicky Lovick is a literary agent at WGM Atlantic Talent & Literary agency in London. She’s worked an as editor in-house for big and small publishers for almost a decade and is currently working for Penguin, Random House, Transworld, BBC Books, Orion, John Blake, Blink, Bonnier, Quercus, Profile and Atlantic among others.

---

 

23 AUGUST | FRIDAY EVENING

Law & Disorder – Imran Mahmood in conversation with Neil Lancaster

Price per ticket: €26.95
Boat in: 5pm – Return: 8pm

The 2024 Spike Island Literary Festival will be officially launched by much-loved Cork author Cónal Creedon.
The festival commences with Law and Disorder, an engaging conversation between acclaimed authors Imran Mahmood and Neil Lancaster. Delve into the intricacies of crime writing with these two masters of the genre as they discuss their inspirations and how their backgrounds in law and justice impact their storytelling. This event promises to offer unique insights into the world of crime fiction and the minds behind some of today’s most gripping narratives. Don’t miss the chance to witness a captivating conversation between two leading voices in contemporary literature.

 

Book Now

---

Cónal Creedon

Cónal Creedon is an award winning novelist, playwright and documentary filmmaker. Cónal’s recently published book, Art Imitating Life Imitating Death, was presented at the centre of Irish Studies at Zurich University, James Joyce Federation in 2020. It was subsequently published by Florence University Press and has since picked up Gold at the IP Book Awards in the European Non-Fiction Category and Silver at the IP Book Awards in the Global reference Non-Fiction Category.

---

Neil Lancaster

Neil Lancaster is the No. 1 digital bestselling author of both the Tom Novak and Max Craigie series. His first Craigie novel, Dead Man’s Grave, was longlisted for the 2021 McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Book of the Year. The second Craigie novel, The Blood Tide, topped several ebook and audio charts. It was also longlisted for the 2022 McIlvanney Prize and shortlisted for Best New Series at the Dead Good Reader Awards. Neil’s authentic crime writing style stems from his police background. He served as a military policeman and worked for the Metropolitan Police as a detective, investigating serious crimes in the capital and beyond. As a covert policing specialist, he used all manner of techniques to investigate and disrupt major crime and criminals. He now lives in the Scottish Highlands, writes crime and thriller novels and works as a broadcaster and commentator on true crime documentaries. He is an expert commentator on a number of true crime TV series.

---

Imran Mahmood

Imran Mahmood is a practising criminal barrister in England and Wales. His debut novel You Don’t Know Me was chosen by Simon Mayo as a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Choice for 2017 and longlisted for the Theakston Crime Novel of the Year, the CWA Gold Dagger Award, and the Glass Bell Award and was made into a hugely successful BBC1 adaptation in association with Netflix, reaching no.3 in the World and in the UK received a BAFTA nomination for best actor. His second novel I Know What I Saw was chosen as a Sunday Times crime novel of the month and reached no. 2 on the Audible charts. It was also long-listed for both the CWA Gold Dagger Award and Theakstons Crime Novel of the year. His third novel ALL I SAID WAS TRUE was also long-listed for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2023 and his fourth novel Finding Sophie was released in March 2024. Imran was born and raised in Liverpool but now lives in London with his wife and 2 daughters.

---

---

24 AUGUST | SATURDAY

Femme Fatale – Dr Marie Cassidy, Jo Spain & Arlene Hunt moderated by Michelle Dunne

Price per ticket: €26.95
Boat in: 4 pm – Return: 7 pm

Join us for Femme Fatale, an intriguing panel event at the Spike Island Literary Festival featuring Dr Marie Cassidy, former State Pathologist and author, Jo Spain, renowned author and screenwriter, and acclaimed Irish crime novelist, Arlene Hunt. Moderated by author Michelle Dunne, this event will delve into the dark and fascinating world of crime writing as these leading female voices explore the art of suspense, forensic detail and creating compelling narratives.
Don’t miss the chance to engage with these distinguished authors and uncover the mysteries behind their thrilling novels.

Book Now

---

Dr Marie Cassidy

During her 15-year career as Ireland’s State Pathologist, Marie Cassidy became known to the Irish public as a trusted figure whose expertise helped to solve murders and clarify unexplained deaths. In over thirty years of practice, she performed thousands of postmortems and dealt with hundreds of murders. She has witnessed the burgeoning role of forensic science and the impact that has had on death investigation and the expectations of the general public, while embracing new technology and welcoming the input of experts in the other sciences. She retired at the end of 2018 to spend more time on the other passions in her life, her family and writing. Marie’s number one bestselling memoir Beyond the Tape was published in 2020. Body of Truth is her first novel.

---

Michelle Dunne

Michelle Dunne is a crime and thriller writer from Cork whose new psychological thriller, The Hotel Maid will be published in August 24. Her best-selling psychological thriller, The Good Girl published to rave reviews in March 24 and is described as “an outstanding serial killer thriller.” Michelle also wrote While Nobody is Watching and The Invisible, a series of thrillers following former soldier and UN Peacekeeper Lindsey Ryan as she tries to adapt to her new life in the clutches of PTSD. The series is currently in development for television and is inspired by Michelle’s own experiences as an infantry soldier and United Nations Peacekeeper. Michelle is organiser/programmer of the Spike Island Literary Festival – a crime-themed festival set in Ireland’s very own Alcatraz!

---

Arlene Hunt

Arlene Hunt is an Irish author, film and book reviewer . She has written fifteen novels, the latest of which, While She Sleeps, was published by Hachette in August 2023 and she is currently working on new crime fiction book. A long distance runner, when not writing Arlene can usually be found half way up a mountain with two German Shepherds for company.

---

Jo Spain

Jo Spain is the author of thirteen top-ten Irish and international best-sellers, including the Tom Reynolds detective series. A full-time screenwriter, Jo co-writes and showruns Harry Wild (starring Jane Seymour) with David Logan. She has also written for Sanditon, the ITV/PBS Jane Austen drama and her co-written show The Boy Who Never Was (Subotica/RTÉ/France TV) airs on RTÉ autumn 2024. Jo’s new series Mix Tape (Subotica/Aquarias/Binge) films summer 2024. Jo and her co-writer David Logan are also working on the adaptation of several of her thriller books with production companies including Archery and Yellow Films.

---