John Crotty – Author

Escape from Spike Island – April 1921

Escape from Spike Island – April 1921
Spike Island opened as a prison for Irish Republican prisoners and internees in February 1921, while the Irish War of Independence raged and British Authorities was arresting more rebels than they could easily incarcerate. The… View Post

The Moon Car – the first and only assault on the British Garrison at Spike Island

The Moon Car – the first and only assault on the British Garrison at Spike Island
The Moon car and its association with Spike Island came after the turmoil of the Irish War of Independence. Ireland secured its freedom in a hard fought battle with Britain, but a bloody Civil War… View Post

Spike Island emergence – The natural formation of Ireland’s historic island

Spike Island emergence – The natural formation of Ireland’s historic island
Choosing a point from which to start the story of an island like Spike Island is as difficult as choosing a starting point for the tale of humanity itself.  From its very creation, the island… View Post

The missing monastery of Spike Island Cork

The missing monastery of Spike Island Cork
Spike Island Cork is famous for its use as a prison and military island, with its first prison appearing as early as the mid-1600’s. Three more jails followed across the next four centuries, one of… View Post

The Englishman who loved Ireland – General Charles Vallancey

The Englishman who loved Ireland – General Charles Vallancey
In 18th century Ireland, Britain was a brutal oppressor. The penal laws of 1695 stripped the native Catholic population of many of their basic rights, from land ownership to voting entitlement. War and famine were… View Post