Spike Island Named One of the Top Visitor Attractions in Ireland
At Spike Island, we are thrilled to have been voted one of the Top 10 visitor attractions in the recent Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards. This recognition is a testament to the incredible experiences and memories we’ve shared with visitors from near and far, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the support of our loyal guests.
Spike Island placed among some of the country’s best known visitor attractions such as Guinness Storehouse and The Cliffs of Moher, in a poll of Irish and international readers of The Irish Independent and adjudication by an expert panel including Pól Ó Conghaile (Travel Editor, The Irish Independent), John and Francis Brennan (hoteliers), Roz Purcell (author & adventurer), Niall Tracey (Director of Demand Development, Fáilte Ireland), Rachel Duggan (Editor of the Irish Independent’s Weekend Magazine) and Katy McGuinness (food writer & restaurant critic).
Nestled in the heart of Cork Harbour, Spike Island is best known as Ireland’s infamous prison island and holds a rich and varied history that spans centuries. From guided tours to immersive exhibitions that bring its storied past to life, there’s something for everyone at Spike Island. Visitors can explore the haunting corridors of the 18-century fortress, delve into the fascinating history of the island’s Victorian-era prison, or take in the breathtaking views of Cork Harbour from the island’s viewing points.
One of the highlights of a visit to Spike Island is the opportunity to hear the stories of those who lived and worked here throughout its history. Our knowledgeable guides are passionate about sharing the island’s history, from the monks who once sought solace in its tranquil surroundings to the prisoners who endured hardship within its walls.
The Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards also revealed that Cork was voted as the second-best holiday county. Check out purecork.ie where you’ll find plenty of holiday inspiration for a trip to the Rebel County in 2024.
We would like to extend our thanks to our visitors and everyone who voted for us, to Pól Ó Conghaile and the judging panel, and to our dedicated team who ensure a visit to Spike Island is a memorable one.
It is a privilege to be counted among Ireland’s top visitor attractions, come and see for yourself why we’ve been voted one of the top 10 in Ireland – we can’t wait to welcome you!
Unveil the Dark Secrets of Spike Island on one of our After Dark Tours!
Get ready for a spine-chilling adventure and explore the haunting history of Ireland’s infamous prison island this February. Due to popular demand, our After Dark Tours return for two nights only on February 10th & 24th.
Walk through the chilling corridors of an abandoned prison, sit in a solitary cell and experience a place of punishment once called ‘Ireland’s Hell’.
Guided by our expert storytellers, dive into the dark history of what was once Ireland’s most notorious prison with spine-chilling tales of the murderers and deviants who once roamed its halls!
Not for the faint-hearted, our After Dark tours take you to areas of the island usually off limits to the public where our tour guides will share the harrowing history and spine-chilling stories of Ireland’s most notorious murders and deviants. Explore Spike Island in a whole new light – or should we say darkness! Candlelit corridors, eerie tunnels, and abandoned prison cells await you on this access all areas tour.
Will you escape from Spike Island? There’s only one way to find out! Don’t miss this limited opportunity to experience Spike Island like never before, book your tickets now – if you dare!
Get ready for a spooktacular adventure like no other!
Join us at Spike Island for the ultimate family-friendly Halloween event, The Spookfest Trail.
Bring your little goblins and witches and hop on board the fun ferry before embarking on a fang-tastic adventure through the mysterious Spike Island where you will find areas of the ancient fortress and prison transformed into a realm of Halloween wonderland!
Along with their families, the little ones can then trick or treat their way around the fortress with our brand new Halloween themed quiz trail – keep an eye out for our friendly tour guides who will be handing out sweet treats along the way!
Once your trick or treating is complete, you can relax at our cafe and gift shop. And that’s not all, our historic island offers an array of museums and child-friendly exhibitions as well as scenic island walks.
Don’t miss out on this unique Halloween experience, where history meets spook-tacular fun! Get your costumes ready and join us for an afternoon of enchantment, exploration, and Halloween surprises – the Spike Island Spookfest Trail promises a memorable Halloween experience that will delight children and parents alike.
As part of our upcoming War of Independence Weekend, our popular Spike Island Escape Tour returns for one night only! This unique evening tour focuses on the daring escape by Republican prisoners and internees in 1921, at a time when Spike Island held over 1200 Irish rebels.
On a cold November evening 1921, seven prisoners embarked on an escape mission from the Military Prison in the Field at Spike Island. Having secretly cleared a tunnel area and under cover of darkness, the group of men evaded the searchlights, razor wire and prison guards to escape their island incarceration through a hidden tunnel.
his fully guided tour – with access to areas usually off limits to the public – follows the exact route the prisoners embarked on to escape their captivity and tells the story of the 1921 Republican prison.
Join us on this special escape tour as we walk in the footsteps of the men who fought for the cause of Irish Freedom. Boats depart from Cobh at 5pm, spaces are limited and advance booking is highly recommended.
Join us on Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October for a special weekend dedicated to commemorating the history of Spike Island during the Irish War of Independence.
Our annual War of Independence Weekend features reenactors portraying the Irish Volunteers and Crown Forces, an original 1921 prison hut and an extensive display of firearms and weapons from the period.
Up to 1200 Republican prisoners and internees were held on our historic island during the War of Independence as a result of their activities against Crown forces. This special event commemorates the Irish rebels who risked their lives to fight for the cause of Irish Freedom.
Hear from historian and author Tom O’Neill and others as they recount what life was like for the Republican prisoners and internees who were held captive, including the gallant soldiers who would later lose their lives during the Irish Civil War.
Highlights of the weekend include a series of captivating presentations in the surroundings of an authentic 1921 prison hut. Notable talks will cover subjects like “The 1921 Military Prison in the Field”, “The Weapons of the War of Independence” and “The Cork Male Gaol 1920 Hunger Strikers” presented by Conor Kenny, grandson of internee Joseph Kenny. Discover the connections between Spike Island and Bere Island prisons at the time, as well as the intriguing story of Cork city IRA officer Mick Murphy, who was recently uncovered as a prisoner on Spike under an alias. Daniel Cremin, his great-grandson, will lead this compelling presentation.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to embark on a journey through history and walk in the footsteps of the men who fought for the cause of Irish freedom. Boats will depart from Kennedy Pier, Cobh, on the hour from 10am to 2pm and pre-booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment. Join us this September as we delve into the history of Spike Island during the Irish War of Independence.
SCHOOLHOUSE ruins are a common sight in the Irish countryside. Within their collapsing walls, lessons were learned and friends were made. Belief systems, traditions and moral codes were imprinted on young minds.
SPIKE ISLAND NATIONAL SCHOOL—constructed from corrugated-iron, was not of the typical designs supplied by the Office of Public Works at this time, with corrugated-iron rarely if ever being used as a building material for schools. Given it’s atypical design it is quite likely that the OPW were not involved in the construction of the school. This may be due to the fact from 1938 to 1979, the Irish Army, especially the Artillery Corps, Coast Defence Artillery (C.D.A.), were garrisoned Spike Island, primarily to man the six-inch guns.
The building was a three-roomed school house, with classrooms divided by sliding screens.
Off a long, central corridor were cloakrooms and bathrooms. The building itself was located at the edge of an old quarry and sheltered to the south by the imposing military fortifications.
ENDA O’FLAHERTY’s work as an archaeologist has brought him to the most isolated parts of Ireland, where he noticed and grew ever more intrigued by these ever-present features of the landscape. He began actively seeking them out, photographing over 240 schools in total, researching their histories and interviewing those who attended them.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the exhibition, curator Dorota Gubbins said: “Each empty building has a story to tell, and gathered in this thoughtful collection, they whisper a poignant narrative of a disappearing Ireland – of changing needs, desires and ways of life.”
Get ready for a spooktacular adventure like no other!
Join us at Spike Island for the ultimate family-friendly Halloween event, The Spookfest Trail.
Bring your little goblins and witches and hop on board the fun ferry before embarking on a fang-tastic adventure through the mysterious Spike Island where you will find areas of the ancient fortress and prison transformed into a realm of Halloween wonderland!
Along with their families, the little ones can then trick or treat their way around the fortress with our brand new Halloween themed quiz trail – keep an eye out for our friendly tour guides who will be handing out sweet treats along the way!
Once your trick or treating is complete, you can relax at our cafe and gift shop. And that’s not all, our historic island offers an array of museums and child-friendly exhibitions as well as scenic island walks.
Don’t miss out on this unique Halloween experience, where history meets spook-tacular fun! Get your costumes ready and join us for an afternoon of enchantment, exploration, and Halloween surprises – the Spike Island Spookfest Trail promises a memorable Halloween experience that will delight children and parents alike.
Join us on Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October for a special weekend dedicated to commemorating the history of Spike Island during the Irish War of Independence.
Our annual War of Independence Weekend features reenactors portraying the Irish Volunteers and Crown Forces, an original 1921 prison hut and an extensive display of firearms and weapons from the period.
Up to 1200 Republican prisoners and internees were held on our historic island during the War of Independence as a result of their activities against Crown forces. This special event commemorates the Irish rebels who risked their lives to fight for the cause of Irish Freedom.
Hear from historian and author Tom O’Neill and others as they recount what life was like for the Republican prisoners and internees who were held captive, including the gallant soldiers who would later lose their lives during the Irish Civil War.
Highlights of the weekend include a series of captivating presentations in the surroundings of an authentic 1921 prison hut. Notable talks will cover subjects like “The 1921 Military Prison in the Field”, “The Weapons of the War of Independence” and “The Cork Male Gaol 1920 Hunger Strikers” presented by Conor Kenny, grandson of internee Joseph Kenny. Discover the connections between Spike Island and Bere Island prisons at the time, as well as the intriguing story of Cork city IRA officer Mick Murphy, who was recently uncovered as a prisoner on Spike under an alias. Daniel Cremin, his great-grandson, will lead this compelling presentation.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to embark on a journey through history and walk in the footsteps of the men who fought for the cause of Irish freedom. Boats will depart from Kennedy Pier, Cobh, on the hour from 10am to 2pm and pre-booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment. Join us this September as we delve into the history of Spike Island during the Irish War of Independence.
In 1917 thousands of American servicemen came to Ireland to participate in the First World War. The majority served in the U.S. Navy, located at bases around the country in Cork, Wexford, Dublin and Donegal. The bulk of them served in and around Cork Harbour, particularly in the vicinity of Queenstown/Cobh. Over the course of the next two years, many local Irish women met and married these sailors; St. Colman’s Cathedral in particular was the scene of a large number of ceremonies.
Who were these women, and what are their stories?
This exhibition is based on new research which has sought to identify some of these young women through an analysis of the passport applications they submitted when seeking to travel to America. Twenty of their passport portraits are presented here, together with what we have been able to uncover about their lives.
Portraits: Women of Cork and the U.S. Navy 1917—1919 New research by Damian Shiels Mitchel Hall, Spike Island 29 September 2018—18 October 2019 Curated by Dorota Gubbins
Dr Damian Shiels
Archaeologist, Historian, Curator
“I specialise in bringing history and archaeology to public audiences. With over 20 years experience in heritage, I have worked across both the private and public sectors. Formerly a curator of the National Museum of Ireland, I have a particular expertise in public engagement, lecturing and writing. My specialist focus lies in conflict archaeology and the history of the Irish in America.”
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
Photo credit: Dorota Gubbins
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.
Photo credit: Dorota Gubbins
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.
Photo credit: Dorota Gubbins
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.
Cónal Creedon Photo credit: Dorota Gubbins
Pop Up Readings
Authors Alice Bell and Cónal Creedon will perform readings of their best-selling novels in unique locations on our historic island.
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.
At Spike Island, we are thrilled to have been voted one of the Top 10 visitor attractions in the recent Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards. This recognition is a testament to the incredible experiences and memories we’ve shared with visitors from near and far, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the support of our loyal guests.
The Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards also revealed that Cork was voted as the second-best holiday county. Check out purecork.ie where you’ll find plenty of holiday inspiration for a trip to the Rebel County in 2024.
Unveil the Dark Secrets of Spike Island on one of our After Dark Tours!
Guided by our expert storytellers, dive into the dark history of what was once Ireland’s most notorious prison with spine-chilling tales of the murderers and deviants who once roamed its halls!
SCHOOLHOUSE ruins are a common sight in the Irish countryside. Within their collapsing walls, lessons were learned and friends were made. Belief systems, traditions and moral codes were imprinted on young minds.
The building was a three-roomed school house, with classrooms divided by sliding screens.
In 1917 thousands of American servicemen came to Ireland to participate in the First World War. The majority served in the U.S. Navy, located at bases around the country in Cork, Wexford, Dublin and Donegal. The bulk of them served in and around Cork Harbour, particularly in the vicinity of Queenstown/Cobh. Over the course of the next two years, many local Irish women met and married these sailors; St. Colman’s Cathedral in particular was the scene of a large number of ceremonies.
Dr Damian Shiels
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