John Crotty – author
Posts on upcoming titles on Spike Island and personal development

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 history of Spike Island – RTE’s Tubridy show with Oliver Callan

The history of Spike Island – RTE’s Tubridy show with Oliver Callan
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,… View Post

The child prisoners of Ireland’s Alcatraz

The child prisoners of Ireland’s Alcatraz
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… View Post

Hunger strikes, prison riot & the murder of Daniel Clancy – The Irish Republican unrest on Spike Island,1921

Hunger strikes, prison riot & the murder of Daniel Clancy – The Irish Republican unrest on Spike Island,1921
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,… View Post

The boy they made a murderer – Edmond Power

The boy they made a murderer – Edmond Power
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. … View Post

Spike Island Riot! The night Ireland’s Alcatraz burned

Spike Island Riot! The night Ireland’s Alcatraz burned
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… View Post

Talking Spike Island and tourism marketing with 24 stories podcast

Talking Spike Island and tourism marketing with 24 stories podcast
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… View Post