Since 2021, Spike Island has partnered with Sample-Studios and, more recently, Sirius Arts Centre to support a series of thoughtful, site-responsive exhibitions. These collaborations have brought contemporary artists into dialogue with the island’s charged history and unique landscape, with the Lord Mayor’s Pavilion in Cork city serving as a key presenting venue.
Barbara Diener is the ninth artist to participate in this ongoing programme. During her residency, she will immerse herself in the layered histories of Spike Island. Her work will bring together archival artefacts, sculpture and both still and moving images created on and around the island.
Diener’s approach is deeply responsive to place. On Spike Island, she has been especially drawn to its complex architecture and the traces left behind by those who once lived or were held there. One story in particular, the covert 1916 voyage of The Aud, a German ship sent to aid the Easter Rising, resonated strongly, bridging her ongoing interest in German history and hidden military operations. This thread connects with her earlier project The Rocket’s Red Glare, which examined the life and legacy of Wernher von Braun, revealing the moral ambiguities in how history is told and remembered.
A recurring theme throughout Diener’s practice is the quiet persistence of nature in the face of abandonment. On Spike Island, overgrown barracks, crumbling walls, and plant life forcing its way through cracks become metaphors for endurance and transformation. These confined yet living spaces feel simultaneously claustrophobic and resilient suggesting that even in places built for control, something wild and quietly hopeful, endures.
This partnership is supported by the Arts Council, Cork County Council and Cork City Council.
‘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.
Detail from Sinéad Barrett’s artwork
‘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.
Price per ticket: €27.95
Boat in: 12.30pm | Return: 5pm
Meet the Detectives
Patricia Gibney & Gill Perdue with Michelle Dunne
Join two of Ireland’s bestselling crime fiction authors, Patricia Gibney and Gill Perdue, in conversation with fellow author and festival curator Michelle Dunne for an unmissable discussion on mystery, suspense, and intrigue.
As part of the Spike Island Literary Festival, this gripping event delves into the minds behind some of the country’s most compelling crime fiction.
Expect lively discussion, behind-the-scenes insights into crafting crime fiction, and a chance to ask your own burning questions. Perfect for fans of twisty plots, gritty characters, and page-turning drama.
Pop-Up Reading
Michelle Teahan
Secrets and Lies
Amanda Cassidy, Michelle McDonagh with Fiona Gartland
Dive into the dark, twisting worlds of contemporary crime fiction with three gripping voices at Spike Island Literary Festival.
Amanda Cassidy and Michelle McDonagh explore the hidden truths, tangled secrets, and the lies that define their characters.
Join this compelling conversation to uncover how deception drives narrative tension and reveals the human condition in thrilling, unforgettable ways.
Amanda Cassidy
Amanda Cassidy is an Irish Times bestselling author, commissioning editor and former Sky News reporter.
Her debut novel, Breaking, was shortlisted for the 2023 CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger Award, while her second novel, The Returned received widespread critical praise. The Perfect Place, Amanda’s third novel, published last year and was an instant Irish Times bestseller. She is a frequent contributor to national radio, print, and television, and holds a BA in European Studies 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 family. The Stranger Inside, Amanda’s latest novel, will be published in August 2025.
Michelle Dunne
Michelle Dunne is a bestselling psychological thriller writer from Cork whose new thriller, A GOOD MOTHER, came out to rave reviews in April 25.
Michelle also wrote The Hotel Maid and The Good Girl, which saw its Czech language edition chosen as one of the 12 most exciting books to publish in Czech Republic in 2025. It launched in March at the annual Big Book Thursday event in Prague.
Michelle also wrote the Lindsey Ryan series of psychological thrillers, While Nobody is Watching and The Invisible. 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 and programmer of the Spike Island Literary Festival – a crime-themed festival set in Ireland’s very own Alcatraz. In 2024 she also joined the team at Dublin’s international crime writing festival, Murder One.
Fiona Gartland
Fiona Gartland is a crime writer and journalist from Dublin. Her latest psychological suspense novel, Under Her Care, is due for publication in April 2026 with Bloodhound Books.
She’s had a trilogy of thrillers published by Poolbeg, and has had short stories broadcast on RTÉ Radio and published in magazines, including literary quarterly, The Stinging Fly.
She worked for The Irish Times for 17 years where she focused on family law and crime court coverage, going on to become assistant news editor and then features section editor with the publication. She is married, with four grown-up children, enjoys long walks, great reads, and singing for fun.
Patricia Gibney
Patricia Gibney is a crime fiction author from Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland.
Her debut novel, The Missing Ones, was published by London based digital publisher, Bookouture, in March 2017.
To date fifteen Detective Lottie Parker books have been published in the series. More than 2.5 million Lottie Parker books have sold to date and has been translated into multiple languages.
Michelle McDonagh
Michelle McDonagh is the author of three rural noir novels. Her bestselling debut There’s Something I Have To Tell You was published in 2023, and her second bestseller Somebody Knows was shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards in 2024. Her third book Some of This Is True was published in June 2025.
A journalist by trade and a native of Galway, Michelle now lives in Blarney, where she is married with three children and a very cute cavapoo.
Gill Perdue
Gill Perdue is the author of bestselling crime novel If I Tell which was nominated for Crime Novel of the Year in the An Post Book Awards 2022. If I Tell is the first in the Shaw and Darmody series of crime thrillers published by Penguin, set in the fictional Dublin suburb of Clonchapel, followed by, When They See Me.
Her hotly-anticipated third novel, The Night I Killed Him, came out in July 2025 with Marian Keys declaring it: ‘utterly UTTERLY magnificent!’
Gill lives in Rathfarnham with two rescue cats, one of which walks over her laptop when she’s working, and a mostly genial husband who makes good coffee.
Michelle Teahan
Michelle’s debut novel GO SEEK was shortlisted for the CWA New Blood/John Creasey Dagger and is under option to a top tier US producer and studio.
Her follow up novel KNOCK KNOCK was published in June 2024. Michelle is a qualified Medical Scientist but her passion has always been writing stories. She uses her writing to turn her greatest fears into fiction and creating female characters who are equipped to deal with them.
She lives in County Cork, Ireland with her husband, two young daughters and a giant ginger cat.
Price per ticket: €27.95
Boat in: 12.30pm | Return: 5pm
In Cold Blood
Nadine Matheson and Amy Jordan with Edel Coffey
Join three masters of crime fiction — Nadine Matheson, Amy Jordan, and Stuart Neville — for a gripping exploration of murder, morality, and the minds behind the mayhem.
In conversation with journalist and author Edel Coffey, this panel delves into the dark heart of crime writing: what draws us to the genre, how real-world violence influences fiction, and why we can’t look away.
Expect insight, intrigue, and a few chills as these acclaimed writers discuss the art of crafting compelling thrillers that hold up a mirror to society’s most unsettling truths.
Pop-up reading
Cónal Creedon
Close to Home
Andrea Mara, Michelle Dunne & C.L. Taylor with Sam Blake
Join bestselling crime writers Andrea Mara, Michelle Dunne, and C.L. Taylor for an unmissable conversation exploring the darkness that lurks just beneath the surface of everyday life.
From domestic suspense to psychological thrillers, these acclaimed authors delve into the secrets, fears, and tensions that unfold close to home.
Chaired by fellow author Sam Blake, this gripping panel will uncover how ordinary settings can become the backdrop for extraordinary crimes—and why the most chilling stories are often the ones that hit closest to home.
Expect thrilling insights and a behind the scenes look at building suspense.
Sam Blake
Sam Blake is a multiple No 1 bestselling Irish crime writer and has been shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year three times, and twice for Irish Teen and YA Novel of the Year.
Her second YA novel, Something’s About to Blow Up was Winner of the International Education Services Teen & YA Novel of the Year 2024. Her latest adult thriller, The Killing Sense, came out in January 2025 and is a No 1 bestseller.
Follow Sam on social @samblakebooks or find out more at www.samblakebooks.com, where you can join her Reader’s Club and receive her adult thriller High Pressure for free. Sam is the founder of Ireland’s International Crime Writing Festival, Murder One.
She is currently Chair of the board of the Society of Authors, and previously was Chair of Irish PEN and a board member of the Crime Writers Association.
Edel Coffey
Edel Coffey is an Irish novelist and journalist.
She has worked as an editor with the Irish Independent, and as a reporter and presenter with RTE Radio. She is a regular contributor to The Irish Times, and Books Editor with The Gloss magazine. Both of her novels have been number one bestsellers in Ireland and her debut novel Breaking Point won the An Post Irish Book Award for Crime Fiction Book Of The Year in 2022. Her third novel will be published next year.
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. 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.
Michelle Dunne
Michelle Dunne is a bestselling psychological thriller writer from Cork whose new thriller, A GOOD MOTHER, came out to rave reviews in April 25.
Michelle also wrote The Hotel Maid and The Good Girl, which saw its Czech language edition chosen as one of the 12 most exciting books to publish in Czech Republic in 2025. It launched in March at the annual Big Book Thursday event in Prague.
Michelle also wrote the Lindsey Ryan series of psychological thrillers, While Nobody is Watching and The Invisible. 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 and programmer of the Spike Island Literary Festival – a crime-themed festival set in Ireland’s very own Alcatraz. In 2024 she also joined the team at Dublin’s international crime writing festival, Murder One.
Amy Jordan
Amy Jordan lives with her husband and young children in Cork, Ireland. The Dark Hours is her international debut with HQ Stories, HarperCollins. It was also released in North America and Canada with Mira Books, and reviewed by The New York Times, who said “Jordan…writes Julia with particular fire, bringing us a woman who has chosen invisibility but who cannot escape what once made her visible.” Soon to be published in Germany with Piper Verlag, The Dark Hours was an instant Irish Times bestseller.
Previously writing as Amy Cronin, she released three crime thrillers with Irish publisher Poolbeg Press. Amy is a former civil servant and tutor at MTU, who now writes full time.
Andrea Mara
Andrea Mara is a number one Sunday Times, Irish Times and Kindle bestselling author, whose books have sold more than 750,000 copies across all formats.
Her most recent novel, Someone in the Attic, was a Sunday Times, Irish Times and Kindle bestseller. Her previous book, No One Saw a Thing, was a Sunday Times number one bestseller. She has been shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year for five of her books.
The TV adaptation of her 2021 book, All Her Fault, is in production, with Sarah Snook (Succession) playing the lead. Andrea lives in Dublin with her husband and three children.
Nadine Matheson
Nadine Matheson was born and raised in Deptford and now practises as a criminal defence lawyer. She won the City University Crime Writing competition, and she has an MA in Creative Writing.
The Jigsaw Man was her first crime novel and was loved by readers around the world. It was shortlisted for the Dead Good Reader and the Adult Diverse Book Awards in 2022 and it has been translated into fifteen languages.
Nadine is also the host of the podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson.
C.L. Taylor
C.L. Taylor is an award winning Sunday Times bestselling author of ten gripping psychological thrillers including EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE, a Richard and Judy Book Club pick for autumn 2024, THE GUILTY COUPLE, (Richard and Judy Book Club 2023) and SLEEP (Richard and Judy Book Club 2019).
Her books have sold over two million copies in the UK alone, hit number one on Amazon Kindle, Audible, Kobo, iBooks and Google Play, and have been translated into over 30 languages and optioned for TV.
12 am – 4:30 pm
Price per ticket: €49.95
Boat in: 12 pm | Return: 4:30 pm
Fiction-writing Masterclass
with Louise Phillips
Join bestselling author and award-winning crime novelist Louise Phillips for an exclusive Fiction Writing Masterclass at the Spike Island Literary Festival.
Whether you’re a budding writer or polishing your manuscript, this session offers invaluable insight into the craft of compelling storytelling. Drawing on her expertise in character development, plot structure, and building suspense, Louise will guide participants through practical exercises and provide feedback to help elevate your writing.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from one of Ireland’s leading voices in fiction, set against the atmospheric backdrop of Ireland’s infamous prison island.
Pitch the Agent
with Diana Beaumont & Nicky Lovick
Getting the all important pitch right is essential when it comes to getting your work noticed in the competitive world of publishing. Your cover letter essentially needs to be your “elevator pitch” and can lead an agent to decide whether yours is an idea they want to read more about.
This is your opportunity to hear feedback from leaders in the industry, Diana Beaumont of DHH literary agency & Nicky Lovick with WGM Atlantic and also to learn from those around you.
You will be required to bring a printed copy of your pitch which should be no more than 150 words. This will be read out anonymously (if preferred) during the event.
Diana Beaumont
Diana joined DHH Literary Agency in 2024. She started agenting with Rupert Heath Literary Agency in 2011 before moving to UTA. Before that she was senior commissioning editor at Transworld.
Diana was chosen as one of The Bookseller’s Rising Stars of 2012, was a nominee for RNA Agent of the Year 2019, and was shortlisted for Literary Agent of the Year 2022 at the British Book Awards.
Her list includes a wide range of bestselling and prize-winning authors in the UK and internationally.
Nicky Lovick
Nicky has worked as an editor in-house for big and small publishers for almost a decade and has freelanced continuously for twenty years.
Currently working for Penguin, Random House, transworld, BBC Books, Orion, John Blake, Blink, Bonnier, Quercus, Profile and Atlantic, among many others. Literary agent at WGM Atlantic.
Louise Phillips
Dublin born crime author LOUISE PHILLIPS is an Irish Times bestselling author of six crime novels, five of which were shortlisted for Best Irish Crime Novel of the Year in the Irish Book Awards.
Her second novel ‘The Doll’s House’ won the award. She has also been longlisted for the Crime Writers Association (CWA) Dagger in the Library Award in the U.K., and is the recipient of several literary awards, arts bursaries, and residencies.
Her fifth novel, ‘The Hiding Game’, was optioned by a major U.S. film company, and her latest novel, NINA, will be published in the US & Canada in November 2025.
Now in its fourth year, the Spike Island Literary Festival returns this September with a gripping programme dedicated to the art of crime writing. Set against the unique backdrop of Spike Island’s infamous former prison, this one-of-a-kind festival brings together acclaimed authors and literary experts for a series of thrilling conversations, live readings and thought-provoking panels. With a dark history of four prisons over 400 years, Spike Island is 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 readings from world-class writers as they recite their most famous works in unique locations or take the first steps to getting your own work published by meeting with a renowned literary agent. Step inside the walls that once held some of Ireland’s most notorious criminals and immerse yourself in stories that intrigue, unnerve and captivate. Whether you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, gritty detective fiction, or chilling true crime, Spike Island is the ultimate setting for your next plot twist. This year’s programme features a stellar line-up of renowned authors such as Stuart Neville, Andrea Mara, Michelle McDonagh, Sam Blake, Tom Casey, C.L Taylor and more. Join us at the Spike Island Literary Festival this September — where mystery, suspense, and storytelling collide.
Hop over to Spike Island for an eggs-tra special Easter Adventure
Follow the clues along the Easter Trail to claim your delicious treat!
Looking for an egg-citing Easter adventure the whole family will enjoy? Sail from Cobh to Ireland’s infamous prison island – where history and adventure meet sweet surprises this Easter break!
With family fun and a few cheeky chocolate treats along the way, the Spike Island Experience is the perfect day out for the entire family this Easter.
Young adventurers can take part in our Easter Egg Hunt, as they follow a fun-filled trail while exploring hidden corners of the fortress before claiming their chocolate reward at the end!
While the kids enjoy the Easter magic, grown-ups can soak up panoramic views of Cork Harbour, explore the island’s rich history – from monastery to fortress to prison – and enjoy guided tours that bring its past to life.
Don’t miss out on an egg-citing visit to Spike Island this Easter. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning explorer, Spike Island has something magical in store this April.
The hugely popular Spike Island Fireworks Spectacular is set to return with a bang on Sunday, 1st June, lighting up the sky over Cork Harbour for an unforgettable night of celebration. Traditionally held later in the summer, this year’s event moves to an earlier date, allowing us to not only commemorate our Independence Day – the anniversary of the historic handover of Spike Island from Britain to Ireland – but also to officially kick off the 2025 summer season.
Visitors will enjoy an evening of captivating entertainment, live music, and family-friendly activities,
all leading up to the spectacular fireworks display that has become a highlight of the Cork events calendar.
Whether you’re a returning visitor or experiencing the magic of Spike Island for the first time, this is an event not to be missed.
Join us for an explosive start to summer 2025 – secure your tickets now!
To facilitate the smooth flow of the event, boats will begin to depart from Cobh at 4:40 pm.
Early arrivals will have ample time to enjoy all that the island has to offer and will also be among the first to depart the island after the event concludes.
The fireworks display will take place at 10:45 pm approx and return boats will commence thereafter.
Tickets are on sale now and advance booking is essential for this event.
Lace up your running shoes and prepare for an unforgettable experience at the Spike Island 5km Race! Returning this April, the unique event promises an adventure like no other – where else can you begin your race within the walls of a 200-year-old fortress before making your way around an iconic island surrounded by spectacular views of Cork Harbour.
The race kicks off at approximately 5:25 p.m., promising an adrenaline-fueled dash through the island’s scenic routes. Our dedicated marshals will be on hand to guide you and ensure you stay on track throughout.
After crossing the finish line, each participant will receive a special Spike Island medal and there will be a special medal ceremony to celebrate your triumphs, with awards for the fastest male and female runners.
So what are you waiting for? Embrace the challenge and create lasting memories at Spike Island. Boats depart from Cobh at 4pm and 4:45pm and tickets for this unique race event are on sale now.
During the Irish War of Independence, the British Army opened a ‘Military Prison in the Field’ on Spike Island on the 19th of February 1921. Republicans were held here as prisoners and internees. Prisoners were those that were arrested or captured by the Royal Irish Constabulary or the British Army and subsequently charged, tried, convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment for a particular offence. On Spike Island, they were held in the prison compound. Internees were those arrested by the same Crown Forces and imprisoned without trial for their suspected involvement in republican activities. On Spike Island, they were held in the internment compound.
Prisoners that were nearing their release date could if they were still considered a threat be kept in custody as internees.
Barbara Diener is the ninth artist to participate in this ongoing programme. During her residency, she will immerse herself in the layered histories of Spike Island. Her work will bring together archival artefacts, sculpture and both still and moving images created on and around the island.
Amanda Cassidy
Michelle Dunne
Fiona Gartland
Patricia Gibney
Michelle McDonagh
Gill Perdue
Michelle Teahan
Sam Blake
Edel Coffey
Cónal Creedon
Amy Jordan
Andrea Mara
Nadine Matheson
C.L. Taylor
Diana Beaumont
Nicky Lovick
Louise Phillips
Lace up your running shoes and prepare for an unforgettable experience at the Spike Island 5km Race! Returning this April, the unique event promises an adventure like no other – where else can you begin your race within the walls of a 200-year-old fortress before making your way around an iconic island surrounded by spectacular views of Cork Harbour.
The race kicks off at approximately 5:25 p.m., promising an adrenaline-fueled dash through the island’s scenic routes. Our dedicated marshals will be on hand to guide you and ensure you stay on track throughout.