Spike Island is a scenically stunning, lush, green island of 104 acres breaking from the Celtic sea in Cork harbour with a vast history and story to match. Playing an integral role within the fabric of Ireland’s rich cultural, social, political, religious and historic past centuries: As a 24 acre island fortress built to defend an empire; As an island prison in the 1600’s, 1800’s, 1921 and 1985-2004; As an island home for centuries with pretty island cottages, and an exhibition of past residents stories. It has also had royal and political visitors, with Queen Victoria sketching the island during a visit to Cobh in 1849.
- An island fortress built during the French-British war and American revolutions, it could garrison 3000 men and held the British and Irish army
- It was the largest ever prison in Ireland and Britain with 2300 inmates during the famine years
- Discover famous inmates like Jack in the Box, Dubliner, Martin Cahill, and the dark cells of the 1850s punishment block
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