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…
Spike Island becomes a much discussed destination in the Irish summertime, as locals and visitors look for memorable things to do. I was fortunate to discuss Spike Island history with the always hilarious Oliver Callan,…
In addition to the incarceration of male adults at Spike Island’s 19th century prison, boys as young as twelve were not spared hard time. The punishment of what we now call juvenile offenders was standard…
Spike Island started 1921 as a British Military base, a function it had occupied since 1779. Built to defend the important Cork Harbour from Napoleonic attack, the fort was converted into a prison in 1847,…
Spike Island went from sleepy military outpost to epic island prison in October 1847, while the Irish famine raged. An explosion in convictions led to more prisoners than the jail or transportation system could handle. …
Spike Island opened as a prison for the fourth time in 400 years in 1985, following its use as a Republican prison in 1921, the largest prison in the world in the mid-1800’s and a…
It was my pleasure and privilege to join Narration’s Stephen Ryan to discuss all things Spike Island, tourism marketing and my career to date. I shared with Stephen how I made a move to the…
