The island’s vast and varied history has included monks and monasteries, rioters and redcoats, captains and convicts and sinners and saints.Īt one point, the island was used to house convicts prior to penal transportation, and this is where the nickname of ‘Ireland’s Alcatraz’ came from. In the last 1300 years, Spike Island has been host to a 6th-century Monastery, a 24-acre fortress, the largest convict depot in the world in Victorian times and centuries of island dwellings. Spike Island prison was originally the site of a monastic settlement, but for over 200 years it has been dominated by the star fort named ‘Fort Mitchel’. About Spike Island prisonĪ short ferry ride from the gorgeous little fishing village of Cobh in County Cork lies a 103-acre island that has been used as a place of worship, defence, confinement and punishment. Your return ticket is for 3.5 hours later, so you should allow at least 4.5 hours for a visit. When you buy a ticket for one of the Spike Island tours, your journey over on the ferry is included. Price wise, you’re looking at (note: prices may change): There are several different ticket types for the Spike Island tours (more on the various tours below). The ferry takes around 15 minutes each way and leaves several times each day. To get to Spike Island in Cork you’ll need to get a ferry from Kennedy Pier in Cobh.
LocationĪ short ferry ride from the gorgeous little fishing village of Cobh in County Cork lies a 103-acre island that has been used as a place of worship, defense, confinement and punishment.
However, there are a handful of things worth knowing before you plan your visit (booking in advance is needed!). Longer / shorter visits on request.įor groups of 15 or more, phone (021) 237 3455 to secure space, group rates available, or email bus from Cork city - Cobh please contact the bus station or our concierge team will be more than happy to assist with booking.So, a visit to Spike Island prison is fairly straightforward – you need to grab a ticket and hop onto a little ferry that leaves from Cobh. The ferry must leave on time and cannot wait, there are no refunds for late arrivals.Ĭafe and toilet facilities located on the island. Parking is recommended at the Five Foot Way (15 minute walk) or Cobh Cathderal car park (15 minute walk).Īllow at least 20 minutes to park and walk to the ferry.
Heritage town Cobh is just 24 minutes by train or 25 minutes by car from Cork city centre. Spike Island is reached by ferry from Kennedy pier, Cobh. Discover more about our rich history and colourful characters here. It was the largest prison in the world at the time and there has never been a larger prison in Ireland or Britain before or since. Today the island is dominated by the 200 year old Fort Mitchel, the star shaped Fortress which became a prison holding over 2300 prisoners. The island's rich history has included monks and monasteries, rioters and redcoats, captains and convicts and sinners and saints. In the last 1300 years Spike Island has been host to a 7th century Monastery, a 24 acre Fortress, the largest convict depot in the world in Victorian times and centuries of island homes.
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