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What's Here
1300 years of Irish history and 104 acres of nature await! On Spike Island you can enjoy two scenic walking trails, dotted with pretty houses, abandoned villages and convict cemeteries. While in the original 1804 fortress that crowns the island, over a dozen authentic buildings tell our story.
Discover; – The 1850’s punishment block – The Modern 1990’s prison – The artillery gun park with tanks and cannons – The Independence musuem, telling Ireland’s road to freedom – The Cork Harbour interactive, where you can sail a ship and fire its cannons – the tunnels leading to the coastal defense guns – A recreation of a prison ships hull – Social history exhibitions – and so much more! See Buildings and artifacts for more info…
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Guided Tours
Included in the price of your ticket is a guided tour, which starts from the ferry arrival point to the Fortress and lasts up to 45 minutes. We highly recommend you take the tour, to get an overview of our history and how best to enjoy your visit. Our storytellers tell the 1300 year history of Spike Island, sharing the stories of Captains and Convicts, rioters and redcoats.
You will weave past pretty houses, have the dramatic fortifications explained, and be ready to enjoy the rest of your visit.
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Our Tours
There is more than one way to see Spike Island. We offer exclusive Behind the Scenes tours, After Dark tours and special events:
After Dark tours – Discover our dark history and stories we cannot share with any day tour. Walk abandoned prisons, sit in solitary cells and hear the spooky side of our islands past.
Behind the Scenes – Go underground in the Spike Island tunnels, built to hold the forts gunpoweder but used to hold prisoners in the 1840’s. You will finish your tour in the private Captains Bar, where you can enjoy a complimentary drink of our own Spike Island rum.
Special Events – Concerts, comedy nights, plays and family fun nights… we’ve got a special occasion to suit you!
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Ferry journey
Sail the worlds second largest natural harbour on a short and scenic 12 minute crossing. Enjoy stunning views of harbour town Cobh from the water and keep an eye out for seals, dolphins and sea birds! You can also spot fishing boats, cruise liners and the Irish Naval Service as they operate in the area.
Our ferry has a roll on pontoon for easy access, no steps, and a seat for every passenger. Your return boat is 3.5 hours later as we have lots to see, but shorter and longer stays are available on request.
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Augmented Reality App
Bring history to life! Our amazing augmented reality APP transports you back thousands of years, to the time of the mystical monks, first fortress and island village. See our characters come to life, like Eamon DeValera in conversation with Winston Churchill, famous adventurer Percy Fawcett, and you can even see the Titanic come to life and set sail on its fateful maiden voyage.
With fifteen stops that come to life before your eyes, including all aspects of our rich past. See the monastery with your own eyes, hear from former prisoners, and listen as former residents share their memories. Search ‘Imvizar – Spike Island’ in the APP or Google Play store.
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Self-Guided Tour - Nature walks
After the optional guided tour, use your free map to discover the island and fortress. See the incredible authentic buildings, some dating back to the 18th century. Scale the forts walls for incredible harbour views, and walk long tunnels, prison corridors and military emplacements.
We also have two incredible walking trails – the twenty minute Glacis walk around the fort, and the a 45 minute Ring of Spike, passing villages, nature and wildlife. Its your day, your way, at Spike Island Cork.
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Our Facilities
Having completed the tour and explored our authentic buildings, take a well deserved break in our comfortable cafe. With seating for over 100 inside and outside, a warm welcome and delicious treats await. Serving hot sandwiches and wraps, treats and beverages.
We also have two great gifts shops for some retail therapy, which specialize in historical books, unique Spike gifts, Irish items and children’s items. There are several toilets on site including child changing facilities and wheelchair accessible toilets at the pier and in the forts cafe.
Wheelchair / access queries
Learn more here
We have a roll on / roll off pontoon to access the ferry and island, and the majority of our exhibitions are wheelchair and buggy friendly.
There is significant walking on the island but paths and roadways are solid materials.
Click the button to get a detailed overview of accessibility concerns, and feel free to contact us anytime on 021-2373455 or admin@spikeislandcork.ie with any queries.
