John Crotty – Author

The world’s greatest explorer and the lost city of gold

The world’s greatest explorer and the lost city of gold

The worlds greatest explorer found himself living on Spike Island Cork for three years

View Post

RTE’s Nationwide visit Spike Island Cork – Interview with former manager John Crotty

RTE’s Nationwide visit Spike Island Cork – Interview with former manager John Crotty
In this interview RTE’s Nationwide discuss the future for the Irish Alcatraz, which only reopened to visitors in 2016 following major reinvestment, and close to two centuries being off limits to the general public. View Post

The warrior poet and the Dubliner – teacher Edward Walsh

The warrior poet and the Dubliner – teacher Edward Walsh
Spike Island has had a long association with writers. Several former residents have published books, while a number of other visitors have inspired them, including former prisoners. These published works range from the adventures of… View Post

John Patrick Leonard – Our man in Paris

John Patrick Leonard – Our man in Paris
At a time when Spike Island was being carved up and commandeered for the defence of the British Empire, a curious thing happened.  A child was born on this tiny island in the early 19th… View Post

Ireland’s greatest prison escapologist

Ireland’s greatest prison escapologist
Escape from Spike Island prison seemed impossible, but that would not stop the daring. Prison escapes have long fascinated us, with incredibly popular movies like the Shawshank redemption and Escape from Alcatraz proving enduring hits.… View Post

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 first prison on Ireland’s Alcatraz? Oliver Cromwell in Ireland and Spike Island Cork.

The first prison on Ireland’s Alcatraz? Oliver Cromwell in Ireland and Spike Island Cork.
The name Oliver Cromwell impacts an Irish ear with a forceful thud.  In a nation full of easy going individuals, there are few quicker ways to set pulses racing than to mention his name. If… View Post