Category: Uncategorized

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”. 

Share this:

The Annual Charity Carol Concert

The music was provided by The Courtyard Choir, their Soloists, musicians, and all conducted by Mr Ger Gunn. These groups have been providing exquisite music down through the years at our Annual Concerts, and without them, it just would not be possible to put on the show.

A very big Thank You to everyone who helped in any way to get the show on the road, the Volunteers, Staff, Guides, maintenance staff, office staff, Sponsors, and Spike Island management.

Saturday-Sunday, 01-02 October 2022

Our annual War of Independence weekend features re-enactors portraying the Irish Volunteers and Crown Forces, an original 1921 prison hut and an extensive display of firearms and weapons from the period.
At Mitchel Hall, there will be a fascinating exhibition of original artefacts, most notably a collection of belongings of James Butler and William Looby both of whom were internees on Spike Island in 1921 as well as a display of Irish Garda uniforms since 1922.

We will also present three short presentations on subjects such as the 1921 Military Prison in the Field, The Weapons of the War of Independence and The Cork Male Hunger Strikers of 1920.

‘Sound at Sea’

Celebrate Culture Night 2022 on a unique island location.
On Friday 23rd September, Spike Island will join the nationwide celebrations by offering visitors a free guided tour of the historic island and fortress where they will discover over 1300 years of Irish history. Once within the fort walls, the audience will be treated to a vibrant music performance by Cobh-based musicians, Violini Duo on the steps of the charming Mitchel Hall building.

Venue: Spike Island
Departure: Kennedy Pier, Cobh
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

#CultureNight #OícheChultúir
@CultureNightCorkCounty
@CultureNight is brought to you by @ArtsCouncilIreland in partnership with @CorkCountyCouncil

https://culturenightcorkcounty.ie/

https://violinicork.ie/

Jump aboard the fun ferry and discover wicked witches, scary spiders and pillaging pirates as areas of our historic fortress and prison are transformed so that the little ones can explore an island of Halloween adventure.

Your visit consists of a short ferry ride and a Halloween themed guided tour on arrival.
Families can then Trick or Treat their way around the fortress where you’ll find amazing interactive areas with the help of your FREE Halloween map:
– Witches hollow – Careful she doesn’t cast a spell!
– Spider sanctuary – Mind your head, something is creeping about!
– Tunnel of terror – What’s creeping about its depths!
– Pirates prison ship – All aboard me hearty’s!
– Pumpkin patch – Watch out for the bats!
And expect frightful photo ops and spooky surprises!
When your trick or treating is done, you can use the cafe, gift shop and enjoy our other amazing museums and exhibitions and island walks, with lots of child friendly exhibits.

Be sure to come in fancy dress and bring a trick or treat bucket. Spook you soon!

The inaugural SPIKE ISLAND LITERARY FESTIVAL is now on sale for the weekend of 02nd–04th September 2022!  Sponsored by Cork County Council, Commodore Hotel, Bella Vista Hotel, Trigon Hotels, Fota Island Resort and Belvelly Castle.  Dedicated to the popular theme of crime writing, visit an island location perfect for inspiring writers, with a dark history of four prisons over 400 years that has inspired many books. Lucky attendees can further their knowledge and writing skills with a series of author talks and workshops, suited to all genres and storytellers.

Every visitor will also enjoy very special access to all areas, with a ‘writers tour’ on arrival, which will focus on the criminals and crimes associated with this historic island.  Join us for an unbelievable deep dive into writing and the art of storytelling, at Ireland’s historic island.

You can choose from several great event formats:
Author speaking events – Where authors share their experience and advice in a relaxed setting, inspiring budding authors to achieve their goals. Includes a special tour on arrival.
Crime writing workshop – Join seasoned published author Kevin Doyle for a deep dive into writing in this exciting genre. Small class size and includes a tour on arrival.  Expect practical, applicable tips.
Screenwriting workshop – Writing for the screen has its own challenges, but incredible rewards! Learn the secrets at this insightful afternoon in small group size with Philip Davison, and see your name on the small or big screen one day!
Meet the publisher – Submit your synopsis and opening chapter in advance and receive advice from the people who really matter – the professionals who will decide if your book is published. Get time with highly experienced industry experts from the esteemed, Liberties Press – Small group size and tour included in this afternoon visit.  Take that all-important step to being published.
Author readings – Sit in as some world-class writers perform readings in incredible locations like prison cells and artillery gun parks!  Enjoy a very special ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour that focused on our writers and criminals that inspired books, and hear from the likes of Cónal Creedon, Philip Davison, Catherine Kirwan and more.  Going on sale at the end of June. 

02 SEPTEMBER – FRIDAY | EVENING | GRAND OPENING !!

PJ Coogan to open & interview Alex Barclay & Liz Nugent

A fantastic evening on Spike Island with renowned authors Alex Barclay and Liz Nugent interviewed by broadcaster PJ Coogan.

On arrival, visitors will be given a guided tour with a focus on a murder mystery and the darker tales of Spike Island. On arrival at the Fortress itself, there will be time to enjoy a tea/coffee before the event begins.

This will be an intimate event with limited numbers in attendance. A unique opportunity to get such an insight into the minds of two of Ireland’s foremost thriller writers.

03 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY | Afternoon

EVENT – Meet the publisher – Liberties Press

A rare opportunity to meet face to face with one of Ireland’s most renowned publishing houses, Liberties Press. Receive feedback on your work and tips on how to make your work stand out to publishers.

On arrival, visitors will be given a guided tour with a focus on a murder mystery and the darker tales of Spike Island. On arrival at the Fortress itself, there will be time to enjoy a tea/coffee before the event begins.

Attendees will be invited to submit a synopsis & opening chapter of their work in progress to sean@libertiespress.com in advance of the festival and he will give feedback anonymously on the day. Anyone submitting should put “Spike Island Submission” in the subject line. Please do not submit work if you have not bought a ticket.

03 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY | Afternoon

Screenwriting workshop with Philip Davison (12 people max)

A fantastic afternoon on Spike Island with renowned author Phillip Davison giving an intimate screenwriting workshop

On arrival, visitors will be given a guided tour with a focus on a murder mystery and the darker tales of Spike Island. On arrival at the Fortress itself, there will be time to enjoy a tea/coffee before the event begins.

This will be an intimate event with limited numbers in attendance. A unique opportunity to get such an insight into the mind and writing methods of one of  Ireland’s foremost writers.

03 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY | Evening

Headline – John Connolly & Mark Billingham

A fantastic evening on Spike Island with renowned authors John Connolly & Mark Billingham in conversation.

On arrival, visitors will be given a guided tour with a focus on a murder mystery and the darker tales of Spike Island. On arrival at the Fortress itself, there will be time to enjoy a tea/coffee before the event begins.

This will be an intimate event with limited numbers in attendance. A unique opportunity to meet two of Ireland and England’s foremost thriller writers

04 SEPTEMBER – SUNDAY | Afternoon

Crime writing workshop with Kevin Doyle

A fantastic afternoon on Spike Island with renowned author Kevin Doyle giving an intimate crime writing workshop.

On arrival, visitors will be given a guided tour with a focus on a murder mystery and the darker tales of Spike Island. On arrival at the Fortress itself, there will be time to enjoy a tea/coffee before the event begins.

This will be an intimate event with limited numbers in attendance. A unique opportunity to get such an insight into the mind and writing methods of one of  Ireland’s foremost thriller writers.

04 SEPTEMBER – SUNDAY | Evening

Michelle Dunne & Andrea Mara

A fantastic evening on Spike Island with renowned authors Michelle Dunne & Andrea Mara interviewed by broadcaster PJ Coogan.

On arrival, visitors will be given a guided tour with a focus on a murder mystery and the darker tales of Spike Island. On arrival at the Fortress itself, there will be time to enjoy a tea/coffee before the event begins.

SATURDAY 03^rd & SUNDAY 04^th – 12.30pm

Join us on this very special literary visit for a ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour followed by readings from authors in unique areas.  Once you step off the 12.30 pm ferry your guide will share the unbelievable tales of our murderers and notorious criminals.  Many have inspired writers to put pen to paper, and we will discuss the resulting books. Then we head underground through the Spike Island tunnels, where prisoners were held in the 1800s.  Normally off-limits to day tours, see a side of the island normally never seen.  Then join amazing authors for readings in incredible settings, like prison cells, artillery gun parks and more.  Tour and reading complete, you are free to explore the rest of our amazing island!

Reading 1 – Philip Davison
Reading 2 – Cónal Creedon

About the Authors

Alex Barclay

Alex’s first two crime novels feature NYPD homicide detective, Joe Lucchesi, and the six novels that followed feature bipolar FBI agent, Ren Bryce. She also writes for screen and is currently developing an original crime series for television. Alex was born in Dublin, and lives on the Beara peninsula in Cork, where she’s set two of her most recent books – the psychological thriller, I Confess, and her debut novel for teens, My Heart and Other Breakables, published in 2022 by Harper Collins. Also In 2022, her YA crime debut, Rock Paper Killers, was published by Simon & Schuster under the pseudonym Alexia Mason

Find out more at harpercollins.co.uk/blogs/authors/alex-barclay

Mark Billingham

Mark is an Actor, television writer, comedian and international bestselling author of the Tom Thorne series. With nineteen books in the series, the first two became a six-part TV series, Thorne which originally aired on Sky One.

Find out more at uk.markbillingham.com

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.

Find out more at www.tadhgcoakley.ie

John Connolly

International bestselling author of 30+ books, including the Charlie Parker novels, The Book Of Lost Things, the Samuel Johnson Adventures and more.

Find out more at www.johnconnollybooks.com

Cónal Creedon

is an award-winning novelist, playwright and documentary filmmaker.

Find out more at www.conalcreedon.com

Amy Cronin

is a writer from Cork, Ireland. She is a fan of thrillers and crime novels, and her love of suspense and plot twists flows into her writing. Blinding Lies is Amy’s debut novel and is the first part of a trilogy. It is available online and in paperback in all good bookshops. It was a #1 bestseller in the Amazon Northern Irish Crime category, and #7 in the online Irish Crime category, as well as a WHSmith bestseller. The follow-up, Twisted Truth, is available now online and the paperback will be available in bookshops soon.

Find out more at www.amycroninauthor.com

Philip Davison

has been described by Bob Geldof as “Ireland’s best-kept secret”; his work has been compared by the Irish Independent with that of John le Carré and Graham Greene. His most recent novels are Quiet City and Eureka Dunes, both published by Liberties Press. A TV adaptation of his novel The Crooked Man, starring Ross Kemp, was broadcast on ITV. He has written twelve plays for radio and has co-written two television dramas, Exposure and Criminal Conversation, and Learning Gravity, a documentary film on poet and undertaker Thomas Lynch. His play The Invisible Mending Company was performed on the Abbey Theatre’s Peacock stage.

Find out more at www.philipdavison.com

Kevin Doyle

is the author of two novels, To Keep A Bird Singing and A River Of Bodies. He co-wrote (with Spark Deeley) the illustrated children’s book, The Worms that Saved the World. A widely experienced creative writing teacher he is currently chairperson of the Irish Writers Union.

Find out more at www.kevindoyle.ie

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.

Find out more at www.michelledunnebooks.com

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.

Find out more at Penguin Books

Andrea Mara

is a Sunday Times and Irish Times Top Ten bestselling author, who has been shortlisted for several awards, including Irish Crime Novel of the Year at the An Post Book Awards. Her most recent novel, All Her Fault, was Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month, a top ten bestseller in the UK and Ireland, and a Kindle Top 5 bestseller. She lives in Dublin, Ireland, with her husband and three children, and also runs a multi-award-winning parent and lifestyle blog, OfficeMum.ie. Her new crime novel, Hide And Seek, will be published in August 2022.

Find out more at officemum.ie

Liz Nugent

is a writer of award-winning psychological suspense novels Unravelling Oliver (2014), Lying in Wait (2016), Skin Deep (2018) and Our Little Cruelties (2020). All four books topped the Irish bestsellers list and Liz has won multiple literary awards. Her books have also been optioned for screen adaptations. Liz’s books have been translated into 16 languages and she has also written extensively for radio and television in drama and animation. In October 2017, Liz won the Irish Woman of the Year Award for Literature and in February 2021, she was awarded the James Joyce medal by the Literary Historical Society of UCD.

Find out more at www.liznugent.ie

Sponsors: