Fireworks light up Fort Mitchel on Spike Island and across Cork Harbour to celebrate Independence Day on Spike Island.
It was July 11th 1938 that Spike Island was eventually handed from British to Irish control, a huge seventeen years after Irish Independence. The islands fort and strategic setting were considered so important by the British, they insisted on keeping the location as part of the Cork Harbour forts, and other treaty ports in Berehaven and Lough Swilly.
Photo Joleen Cronin
Spike Island to light up Cork Harbour for 85th Birthday Celebrations & Commemorations.
At Spike Island, we’re celebrating our 85th birthday this year with our annual Family Fun Evening and Fireworks Display, marking the date when Spike Island was officially handed 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 8th July.
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, pop-up musical performances, face painters and more.
To close the night, a fireworks display will launch 1300 fireworks into the sky over Cork Harbour, one for every inmate who died on the island in its three incarnations as a prison.
This year, to mark the 85th anniversary of the 1938 handover of the ‘Treaty Ports’ from Britain to Ireland, Spike Island is also hosting a new Handover Exhibition at Mitchel Hall featuring a newly added collection of original artefacts. Visitors will have the opportunity to view this exhibition telling the story of our independence on the evening of the celebrations event.
Nexus is an exhibition that reflects connection, collaboration and partnerships formed by the Education Unit in Cork Prison (Cork ETB).
The Kaleidoscope of painting and print integrated with mosaic, pyrography and match-work create a narrative symbolizing the essence of incarceration. Ceramics and textiles are interwoven to illustrate and combine the practice of observational research alongside craftsmanship. Visual Thinking strategies are employed throughout to encourage investigation through the creative process in partnership with UCC.
Nexus is inspired by kinship in the Education Unit giving agency to every student regardless of experience. This exhibition has been curated to feature a broad scope of work born from individual practice but united in synergy and collective.
VISUAL THINKING STRATEGIES
Since 2017, there has been a creative synergy between University College Cork and the Education Unit, Cork Prison, (Cork ETB) fostering visual thinking strategies to disrupt power imbalances by promoting a convivial learning environment in the art studios.
We set up our conversations about art by asking our students: What do you see? How is it made? What questions would you ask of the work? These questions promote a student-centered approach to learning. The studio artworks are student responses to these questions. You can see visual thinking strategies played out in the two totem installations based on close reading by the students of two paintings from the National Gallery of Ireland in this exhibition:
“A Convent Garden, Brittany” by William John Leech, c.1913 and “Woman Writing a Letter, with her Maid” by Johannes Vermeer, c.1670.
In “A Convent Garden, Brittany”, Leech’s painting reflects an interest in the religious devotion of the Breton community that Leech shared with many visiting artists. The students, in their response to Leech’s work, have specifically chosen to respond to the artist’s love of sunlight and floral patterns, culminating in the sculptural forms of the lilies as the termination of the totem.
In “Woman Writing a Letter, with her Maid” a maidservant stares out of a window, her mistress writes a letter. In the foreground of the original painting on the floor, lie a red seal, a stick of sealing wax and an object which is probably a letter-writing manual, often used for personal correspondence at the time. The students, in their response to Vermeer, have chosen to respond to colour and the pattern of the tiled floor as distilled from the original illusionistic painting. The work of visual thinking strategies, aimed at encouraging students to question how to see with intention by looking closely at a work of art in order to respond to its affect on them, is orientated towards promotion of freedom of creative expression by student-inmates who reflect on their experiences of incarceration as a stage on their journey out of crime.
Following on from the success of our inaugural event in 2022, the Spike Island Literary Festival makes a much-anticipated return from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th August 2023.
Dedicated to the popular theme of crime writing, the festival takes place on a unique island location with a dark history of four prisons over 400 years – the perfect setting for literary enthusiasts from book lovers to budding writers.
Engage with your favourite authors and discover what inspires them through author-led panel discussions, experience pop-up readings as some world-class writers recite their most famous works in unique locations, enjoy special performances or take the first steps to getting your own work published by meeting with a renowned literary agent.
This year’s programme features a stellar line-up of renowned authors such as Alice Bell, Sam Blake, Amanda Cassidy, Tadhg Coakley, Cónal Creedon, Amy Cronin, Catherine Ryan Howard, Arlene Hunt, Catherine Kirwin, Andrea Mara, Michelle McDonagh, Kitty Murphy.
There are many event formats to choose from during the festival: Panel Interviews – In a series of panel discussions led by author Michelle Dunne, a number of Ireland and the UK’s foremost thriller writers will reveal their writing methods, inspirations and the process of developing unforgettable characters. Author readings – Throughout the festival, pop-up readings by some of your favourite authors will take place in unique locations around the island, from dark tunnels to haunting prison cells. Meet the Agent – Submit the first three chapters of your next work in advance and receive feedback and advice from the industry insiders.
In addition, visitors will enjoy a short guided tour on arrival with a focus on the darker tales from Spike Island’s storied past. Join us this August and immerse yourself in a world of suspense, mystery and intrigue as some of Ireland and the UK’s foremost authors descend on our historic island.
Sponsored by Cork County Council, Bella Vista Hotel, Commodore Hotel, Fota Island Resort, Titanic Bar and Grill, Trigon Hotels.
Programme of Events
18 AUGUST | FRIDAY AFTERNOON
Launch of Spike Island Literary Festival
Price per ticket: €26
Boat in: 1:30pm – Return: 4:30pm
Storytelling, music and song intertwine as two much-loved Cork writers – author Cónal Creedon and singer-songwriter John Spillane – come together for a very special performance to launch the 2023 Spike Island Literary Festival on Friday 18th August.
The longtime friends and collaborators have made significant contributions to the artistic and cultural heritage of Cork and their renowned works including Follow Your Nose and Princes Street resonates with audiences both locally and beyond.
18 AUGUST | FRIDAY EVENING
“A Mind for Murder” (Panel)
Price per ticket: €26
Boat in: 5pm – Return: 8pm
Cork author Michelle Dunne will be joined by a panel of some of Ireland’s foremost thriller writers on Friday evening. Gain unique insights into what inspires authors Kitty Murphy, Arlene Hunt and Amy Cronin in what promises to be an intimate and conversational event which delves into the minds and writing methods of these acclaimed authors.
On arrival, visitors will enjoy a short guided tour with one of Spike Island’s expert storytellers followed by time to enjoy refreshments in the cafe prior to the event.
19 AUGUST | SATURDAY AFTERNOON
“Fear Factor” (Panel)
Price per ticket: €26
Boat in: 12:30pm – Return: 4pm
Crime writers Amanda Cassidy, Andrea Mara and Alice Bell join forces in a panel discussion with Cork author Michelle Dunne to share insights into what inspired their most famous works.
On arrival, visitors will enjoy a short guided tour to the fort with one of Spike Island’s expert storytellers.
Pop Up Readings
Throughout the day, authors such as Tadhg Coakley, Michelle McDonagh, Amy Cronin and Tom O’Neill will perform pop up readings in unique locations throughout the island. Hear segments from your favourite novels directly from the authors themselves in dark tunnels, eerie prison cells and more.
To purchase tickets for our reading events, please click here to book one of our regular sailings.
19 AUGUST | SATURDAY Evening
“Thriller Killer” (Panel)
Price per ticket: €26
Boat in: 5pm – Return: 7:30pm
Two of Ireland’s best-selling crime writers Catherine Ryan Howard and Sam Blake discuss the makings of a successful thriller and what inspired their own novels in a thought-provoking, intimate discussion.
On arrival, visitors will enjoy a short guided tour with one of Spike Island’s expert storytellers followed by time to enjoy refreshments in the cafe prior to the event.
20 AUGUST | SUNDAY AFTERNOON
“Murder by the Book” (Panel)
Price per ticket: €26
Boat in: 12:30pm – Return: 4pm
Following the release of her debut novel, Michelle McDonagh is joined by seasoned authors Catherine Kirwan and Tadhg Coakley in what promises to be a fascinating conversation and discussion with Cork author Michelle Dunne.
On arrival, visitors will enjoy a short guided tour to the fort with one of Spike Island’s expert storytellers.
Reading event – Kitty Murphy & Queen Mia Gold
Kitty Murphy, acclaimed author of the Dublin Drag Mystery Series, will perform a reading of one of her intriguing novels followed by a very special performance by one of Cork’s best-known drag queens, Portuguese-born Queen Mia Gold.
Pop Up Readings
Authors Alice Bell and Cónal Creedon will perform readings of their best-selling novels in unique locations on our historic island.
To purchase tickets for our reading events, please click here to book one of our regular sailings.
Meet the Agent Event
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 on Sunday 20 August – to receive feedback and gain tips on how to make their work stand out from the crowd. Those interested in booking tickets for this event are invited to submit a synopsis and the first three chapters of their work on or before the 18th July to nicky.lovick@wgmatlanticgroup.com with “Spike Island Festival” in the subject line. In return they will get personalised feedback on the day as well as some written notes.
Though Alice Bell grew up in the South West of England, she now lives in Cobh where, in addition to novel writing, she also works as deputy editor of Rock Paper Shotgun, a popular and respected PC Gaming website. In 2019 she was named one of the 100 most influential women in the UK games industry. Grave Expectations is her debut novel and was published in May 2023.
Sam Blake
Sam Blake is the No 1 bestselling author of the Cat Connolly Garda police trilogy (Bonnier), and thriller standalones Keep Your Eyes on Me and The Dark Room and Remember My Name (Corvus Books). Across her books she has been an Irish Times No 1 for 7 weeks, an Eason No 1 bestseller for 10 weeks, in the Irish top ten for 28 weeks and has outsold Graham Norton (briefly!) Both her first novel Little Bones and The Dark Room were shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year (2016 & 2021).
Originally from St. Albans in Hertfordshire, Sam has now lived at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland for more years than she lived in the UK. www.samblakebooks.com
Amanda Cassidy
Amanda Cassidy is a freelance journalist, commissioning editor and former Sky News reporter. Shortlisted for the Irish Journalist of the Year Awards, and more recently the Headline Media writing awards, her features have clocked up over seven million readers. She’s a frequent contributor to national radio, print and television and holds a BA in French and Italian from Trinity College Dublin. When she’s not on a plane, you’ll find her in her cottage in Dublin where she lives with her husband and three young children. Breaking is Amanda’s first novel. “The Returned”, Amanda’s second novel will be published in August.
Tadhg Coakley
Tadhg Coakley is from Mallow and lives in Cork city. His debut novel The First Sunday in September (2018) was shortlisted for the Mercier Press Fiction prize. Whatever It Takes was chosen as the 2020 Cork, One City One Book. Everything (a sports autobiography, which he co-wrote with its subject, Denis Coughlan) was picked as one of the 2020 sports books of the year in The Sunday Times, The Irish Examiner and The Irish Times. The Game: A Journey into the Heart of Sport (2022) was described by Donal Ryan as a ‘towering work’. Tadhg’s short stories, articles and essays have been widely published.
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. His collection of Award winning short stories Pancho and Lefty Ride Again (2021) has been Awarded One City One Book Award 2020. It holds the record of being the most borrowed adult fiction book at Cork City Libraries 2022.
His novel, Begotten Not Made (2018), has achieved literary award recognition: Winner of the Eric Hoffer Award USA 2020, The Bronze Award New Generation Book Award USA 2020; Finalist in the Montaigne [Most Thought-Provoking Book] Award USA 2020. Finalist The IAN Book of the Year Award 2022, Nominated for the Dublin International Book Award 2020; Book of the Year Irish Examiner; Top Books of the Year – Liveline RTÉ Irish National Radio. www.conalcreedon.com
Amy Cronin
Amy Jordan Cronin is a writer from Cork, Ireland. She lives by the sea with her husband and young children in Cork, Ireland. A former tutor at Munster Technological University, she worked in the Irish civil service for a number of years before pursuing her passion for writing crime fiction. She has published two thrillers, Blinding Lies and Twisted Truth with Poolbeg Press. The Dark Hours will be published by Harper Collins HQ in September 2024.
Michelle Dunne is a writer from Cobh who has used some of her own experiences in the Irish Army and as a UN Peacekeeper to write her debut thriller, the first in the Lindsey Ryan series, While Nobody Is Watching which is currently in development for television. Her follow-up book, The Invisible was published in April 2022.
Michelle’s new thriller “GRACE” will be out in March 2024.
Catherine Ryan Howard is an award-winning, internationally bestselling author from Cork. Her lockdown thriller, 56 Days, was named a thriller of the year by the New York Times and the Washington Post, won the An Post Irish Crime Novel of the Year 2021 and is currently in development as a TV series with Atomic Monster/Amazon Studios. She has been shortlisted for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best Novel and the CWA’s John Creasey and Ian Fleming Daggers, and longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award 2023. She is published in 19 languages and a number of her titles have been optioned for screen. Her next thriller, The Trap, will publish in August.
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.
Catherine Kirwan grew up on a farm in the parish of Fews, County Waterford. She studied law at UCC and lives in Cork where she works as a solicitor. Her first novel, Darkest Truth, was chosen as Cork’s One City One Book by Cork City Libraries in 2019. Her current book, Cruel Deeds, is out now from Hachette Ireland.
Andrea Mara is a Sunday Times and Irish Times Top Ten bestselling author, who has been shortlisted for a number of awards, including Irish Crime Novel of the Year at the An Post Book Awards in 2022, 2021 and 2018.
Her novel All Her Fault was Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month, a top ten bestseller in the UK and in Ireland, and a Kindle Top 5 bestseller. It has sold over 100,000 copies and has been optioned for TV.
Hide And Seek, published in 2022, charted in the Irish Times bestseller list for five weeks. Her newest book, No One Saw A Thing,was published by Transworld/ Penguin Random House in May 2023. She lives in Dublin, Ireland, with her husband and three children, and also runs multi-award-winning
parent and lifestyle blog, OfficeMum.ie
Michelle McDonagh
Michelle has over 25 years experience as a journalist. She writes freelance for The Irish Times and a number of other publications. In the course of her career, she’s worked for all of the Irish national and tabloid papers covering news and courts, before switching solely to features and health, mainly for The Irish Times. Her debut novel There’s Something I Have To Tell You was published by Hachette in April 2023.
Tom O’Neill
Tom O’Neill is from Midleton, Co. Cork.
His first book, ‘The Battle of Clonmult’, was published by Nonsuch in 2006.
He co-wrote his second book, ‘The History of the 23 Infantry Battalion FCA, 1959 – 2005, with two fellow officers from the battalion. It was privately published in 2007.
Tom was a member of the team that produced the book, ‘A Great Sacrifice’, the definitive account of the Cork born individuals that lost their lives on military service, during the First World War. The book was published by Echo Publications (Cork) Ltd in 2010.
His book, ‘The Battle of Clonmult’ a revised edition, was published by The History Press in 2019.
His most recent book ‘Spike Island’s Republican Prisoners 1921’ was published by The History Press in 2021.
Tom has been involved on Spike Island since 1989. He worked on Spike with the Irish Prison Service in a managerial role from 1989 – 2010. He was the liaison officer for the Prison Service in the lead up to the handover of the island to Cork County Council in 2010. He joined Cork County Council in 2011 and was very much involved in the planning and development of the island into a tourist attraction. He is in a managerial role on Spike Island since 2011.
Kitty Murphy
Kitty Murphy lives with her husband, Roger, on the very westerly edge of Co. Clare, Ireland. She adores drag in all its forms and crime fiction in all its chilling splendour. Kitty is bi/queer. From a well-spent youth divided equally between the library and the LGBTQ+ scene, it was only a matter of time until both worlds collided in a flurry of fictional sequins.
Death in Heels, the first book in the Dublin Drag Mystery Series was published by Thomas & Mercer in 2022. The sequel, Death in the Dark, was released in 2023.
Queen Mia Gold
The queen of all queens, Mia Gold has gotten wind of the fact that Drag Queens are being bumped off in Kitty Murphy’s Dublin Drag Series (Death in Heels). Now she’s coming to Spike Island to confront the situation and to find out for herself, what exactly is going on and more importantly, what’s going to happen next!
John Spillane
John Spillane is a musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet and dreamer. Rooted in people, place and story, his music transports the listener and his live performances captivate audiences around the world.
After his acclaimed release of 100 Snow White Horses in 2021, in October 2022, John will released ‘In Another Light’ a career spanning album recorded live at the Right Here Right Now Festival recorded at Cork Opera House in November 2021.
Spike Island to light up Cork Harbour for 85th Birthday Celebrations & Commemorations.
At Spike Island, we’re celebrating our 85th birthday this year with our annual Family Fun Evening and Fireworks Display, marking the date when Spike Island was officially handed 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 8th July.
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, pop-up musical performances, face painters and more.
To close the night, a fireworks display will launch 1300 fireworks into the sky over Cork Harbour, one for every inmate who died on the island in its three incarnations as a prison.
This year, to mark the 85th anniversary of the 1938 handover of the ‘Treaty Ports’ from Britain to Ireland, Spike Island is also hosting a new Handover Exhibition at Mitchel Hall featuring a newly added collection of original artefacts. Visitors will have the opportunity to view this exhibition telling the story of our independence on the evening of the celebrations event.
Boats depart from 5.15pm with earlier arrivals being first to exit after the event. The fireworks display will take place at approx 10pm. Return boats from the island begin at 10.30pm and leave every 10 minutes (first in / first out, check ticket time for return boat) with the last return boat at 11.45pm approx.
Changing of the Guard Photograph courtesy of Smith/Cusack Family
To mark the 85th anniversary of the 1938 handover of the ‘Treaty Ports’ from Britain to Ireland, Spike Island is hosting a new exhibition featuring a newly added collection of original artefacts which have been kindly donated to the museum by Fionnghuala Smith and her family. The collection features original documents, photographs and artefacts and will be displayed to the public for the very first time.
The collection tells the story of Daniel Cusack of Spike Island, a seaman who was employed by the [British] War Office. After the handover in 1938, Daniel was one of a small number of people who remained on the island after being offered employment by the Irish Department of Defence Fleet. One of the documents which is dated ’11th July 1938′, appears to be one of the first official documents signed by the Irish authority at Spike Island.
Another unique artefact donated to the curatorial staff at Spike Island in 2017 is a personal eyewitness account of the handover written just minutes after the ceremony. To commemorate the 85th anniversary this year, the Spike Island team have produced a special video based on the contents of this letter which gives visitors the opportunity to experience the excitement which surrounded Cobh and Cork Harbour on that momentous day.
The list of officers and enlisted men who arrived at Spike Island on 11 July 1938 is also on display courtesy of the Spike Island Volunteer Group.
The national flag, which is believed to be the actual Tricolour raised on the occasion of the 1938 Handover, is also exhibited. This original artefact was kindly donated to the museum by Mr Tom Kelly of Cobh in 2018.
Exhibition runs until 30 September 2023
Location: Mitchel Hall, Spike Island
The Taoiseach Éamon de Valera and other senior members of the Irish government at Spike Island. Image courtesy: National Library of Ireland; kindly colourised by John Breslin, co-author of “Old Ireland in Colour” books.
Echoes of Isolation is a solo art exhibition by Sinéad Barrett which draws attention to the historical context of isolation on Spike Island, while also inviting reflection on the broader implications of isolation in contemporary society. The impact of isolation and displacement has become all too relevant, particularly in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ways in which it disrupted our lives and our sense of connection to others…
During the 1800s, Spike Island was used as a convict depot and prison. Many of the prisoners were subjected to solitary confinement and it is estimated that almost 1,200 convicts died on the island.
This exhibition shines a light on these forgotten voices, exploring the emotional and psychological impact of isolation. Speaking ahead of the launch of the exhibition, Sinéad said: “For the last six months, I have been doing a residency on Spike Island which has been hugely rewarding as well as educational andinformative. I have loved spending time on the island wandering through the buildings and the differenthistories of the Fort and the island. For my residency, I concentrated on the 36 years from 1847-1883 when Spike Island was a convict depot and prison. This residency will culminate in a soloexhibition Echoes of Isolation”.
Exhibition runs from 2 June—31 August
Location: Punishment Block, Spike Island
Sinéad Barrett is a Cork-based visual artist and Programme Coordinator with Sample-Studios. She divides her time between Cork and West Cork, painting from her surroundings environment. In 2014 she returned to education to study Fine Art, graduating from Crawford College of Art and Design in 2019. She was awarded the CIT Presidents Prize for outstanding studentship and she also received a Crawford College of Art and Design Graduate Residency and was awarded the Sample Studios Graduate Curatorial Residency Award 2019/2020. She is very active in her own artistic practice, having secured numerous exhibition opportunities since graduating and received an Arts Council Visual Arts Bursary in 2021. Her work is held in both public and private collections.
Ireland’s longest running Johnny Cash tribute band, Strictly Cash, make a much-anticipated return to Spike Island for two special performances to be held at the former island prison on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th June. The band will recreate the infamous Folsom Prison concert performed by The Man in Black himself over 50 years ago.
Johnny Cash’s prison performances became legendary in musical circles as he played to some of America’s most hardened criminals at San Quentin and Folsom Prison. The Man in Black became forever linked to his infamous prison gigs, and this special Spike Island performance will recreate his prison escapades. His Folsom Prison performance resulted in a live album which became one of the defining moments in his career.
Tribute act Strictly Cash have been performing the country singer’s hits for many years and previously played at Dublin’s Mountjoy Prison back in 2008 for the 40th anniversary of Cash’s Folsom Prison concert.
Expect a fitting tribute to the Man in Black at Ireland’s most famous prison island featuring his iconic hits such as I Walk the Line, Jackson, Ring of Fire, Get Rhythm, Folsom Prison Blues and more.
Discover the Spike Island 1921 prisoners who lost their lives during the Irish Civil War.
In a special evening tour this April, Spike Island will recall prisoner life at the time when the island was used as a military prison in the field during the Irish War of Independence.
In 1921, Spike Island became the largest military prison in the field. At this time, Irish men and women suspected of involvement in the fight for Irish freedom, were captured and sentenced to internment. Over 1,200 would be held on Spike Island with prison riots, a hunger strike, prisoner shootings and even prison escapes as a result.
This year marks 100 years since the conclusion of the Irish Civil War, a tragic and bitter conflict following the establishment of the Irish Free State. One such tragedy of this period of conflict was the deaths of these four IRA men, once imprisoned as internees on Spike Island during the 1921 War of Independence. Having been released from the military prison in the field at Spike Island, they would later lose their lives in the lead up to and during the Civil War.
Following on from the success of the Spike Island Escape Tour in 2021, the access all areas tour will focus on four gallant soldiers – Tommy McInerny from Limerick; Volunteer Patrick A Pearse from Kinsale; Richard (Dick) Barrett of the Third West Cork Brigade, IRA and one of the escapees of the 1921 escape at Spike Island; and Volunteer James (Jim) Egan.
This guided tour will take you back in time to discover what prisoner life was like for the likes of these four men imprisoned or interned at Spike Island during the Irish War of Independence. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit an original 1921 prison hut, see a display of weapons from the era as well as a special presentation by Spike Island historian and author of Spike Island’s Republican Prisoners, Tom O’Neill.
Join us for this special tour on Saturday 15 April and walk in the footsteps of the Irish Rebels who risked their lives to fight for the cause of Irish Freedom.
Building upon a successful residency model for the exhibition Oiléan in 2021, Spike Island and Sample-Studios have further developed their collaboration for 2022/2023.
Spike Island is thrilled to host a residency for Éanna Heavey. The Sample-Studios member aims to develop a body of work that will allow for the realisation of his emerging art practice, both conceptually and in terms of the multidisciplinary nature of Éanna’s artistic work.
“I’m an emerging, Cork-based, multi-disciplinary artist who graduated in 2018 and has shown my work locally and nationally since graduating. I had my first solo show in July 2022 with Cork Film Centre and Chapel Hill School of Art in Macroom and received the Agility Award from the Arts Council in 2021. My practice primarily includes experimental film, analogue photography, performance and mixed media drawing and painting. The themes and interests of my work lie in exploring the male psyche; the inherent tensions and vulnerabilities of manhood from a queer, psychoanalytical perspective on male gender identity. Concerned by ongoing high statistics in male suicide and interested in the high rates in other areas such as homelessness, addiction, and prison violence ratios, I aim to explore the psycho-social influences that may be contributing factors to these high statistics. This will be done in a sensitive, yet avant-garde manner”.
Nexus is an exhibition that reflects connection, collaboration and partnerships formed by the Education Unit in Cork Prison (Cork ETB).
Tadhg Coakley
Cónal Creedon
Amy Cronin
Michelle Dunne
Catherine Ryan Howard
Arlene Hunt
Catherine Kirwan
Andrea Mara
Michelle McDonagh
Tom O’Neill
Kitty Murphy
Queen Mia Gold
John Spillane
Echoes of Isolation is a solo art exhibition by Sinéad Barrett which draws attention to the historical context of isolation on Spike Island, while also inviting reflection on the broader implications of isolation in contemporary society. The impact of isolation and displacement has become all too relevant, particularly in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ways in which it disrupted our lives and our sense of connection to others…
Sinéad Barrett
