spike island tour discount code

Visiting Spike Island: The Isolated Irish Prison Known As ‘Ireland’s Alcatraz’

By Author Keith O'Hara

Posted on Last updated: December 31, 2023

A visit to Spike Island prison is arguably one of the most unique things to do in Cork .

And it’s easily one of the most popular things to do in Cobh (it’s up there with the  very  popular Titanic Experience).

If you’re not familiar with the story of Spike Island prison and if you’re visiting Cobh in 2024, you’re in for a treat-and-a-half.

In the guide below, you’ll find the history of Spike Island, info on the tour and where to visit nearby. Dive on in!

Table of Contents

Some quick need-to-knows about Spike Island in Cork

Photo by dleeming69 (shutterstock)

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 .

However, there are a handful of things worth knowing before you plan your visit (booking in advance is needed!).

1. Location

A 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.

2. Getting there

To get to Spike Island in Cork you’ll need to get a ferry from Kennedy Pier in Cobh. The ferry takes around 15 minutes each way and leaves several times each day.

There are several different ticket types for the Spike Island tours (more on the various tours below). Price wise, you’re looking at (note: prices may change):

• Adult: €26.95
• Child (12 or under): €13.95
• Family (2 Adults and 1 or 2 kids): €65.95
• Senior Citizen (65+): €21.95
• Student: €21.95

4. How long the Spike Island tours take

When you buy a ticket for one of the Spike Island tours, your journey over on the ferry is included. Your return ticket is for 3.5 hours later, so you should allow at least 4.5 hours for a visit.

About Spike Island prison

A 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.

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’.

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.

The island’s vast and varied history has included monks and monasteries, rioters and redcoats, captains and convicts and sinners and saints.

At 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.

Spike Island history: The story behind Ireland’s Alcatraz

Via Spike Island on Facebook

One of the reason the Spike Island tours are so popular is thanks to Spike Island’s history… it’s  very  dark history.

According to reports, when Spike Island prison was the world’s largest prison in the 1850s, the treatment of convicts was nothing short of horrific.

The ‘Punishment Block’

A ‘Punishment Block’ was the only purpose-built cell block in the Fort, and it was built in response to the murder of Warder William Reddy in 1856.

It was made up of 28 solitary confinement cells and housed the most dangerous prisoners on the island.

Each prisoner was heavily chained and clothed in black from head to toe, with a veil hiding all but their eyes. In the blocks early years, the cells were furnished with only a stool, and prisoners slept on the floor.

Mass graves

There were several suicide attempts and the Punishment Block was the main reason that Spike Island was described as “Hell on earth” by many.

Mass graves, which litter the island, are the result of foul conditions and overcrowding during the worst of Ireland’s famine years.

Spike Island tours

There are 2 different Spike Island tours that you can head off on: the Regular Tour and the After Dark Tour.

The Regular Tour should suit those of you that are on a day-trip to Cobh while the After Dark Tour is a different kettle of fish altogether.

The Regular Tour

The first of the 2 Spike Island tours is the Regular Tour . Included in your ticket is a guided tour from where the ferry lets you off to the Fortress.

The guided tour lasts around 45 minutes and during this time a skilled storyteller will take you on a journey through Spike Islands history.

When the tour ends, you can explore the forts and the prison on your own.

The After Dark Tour

Those that embark upon the after-dark tour on Spike Island will be told the stories of several murders that took place on the island.

One of these murders was of nationalist Patrick White, who was killed during a spiteful act of revenge.

Another story tells of the brutal murder of a prison warder in the 1800s. This horrific killing was carried out by some of the many dangerous inhabitants that were imprisoned on Spike.

The tour also takes visitors along the mysterious underground tunnels and cells that are inaccessible during the day time tours.

Things to do near Spike Island

One of the beauties of Spike Island prison is that it’s a short spin away from a clatter of other attractions, both man-made and natural.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Spike Island in Cork (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).

1. Food in Cobh

Photo left: The Commodore Hotel. Photo right: Harbour Browns Steakhouse (Facebook)

When you arrive back from Spike, the chances are you’ll have worked up an appetite. Thankfully, there are some excellent restaurants in Cobh a short ramble aways from where you’re dropped off (there are also plenty of Cobh hotels if you want to spend the night).

2. Attractions within walking distance of the pier

Photo by Peter OToole (shutterstock)

There’s plenty of other things to do in Cobh when you finish up at Spike. One of the most popular attractions in the area is the Titanic Experience Cobh , but there’s also St. Coleman’s Catheral , the Deck of Cards and much more.

3. Fota Wildlife Park

Photos via Fota Wildlife Park on Facebook

The brilliant Fota Wildlife Park is a stone’s throw from Cobh town centre (you’ll need to drive) and it’s a great spot if you’re after more unique Cork attractions .

FAQs about visiting Spike Island in Cork

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from the Spike Island tours to what to expect from a visit.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

How do you get to Spike Island?

You get to Spike Island via a ferry from Kennedy pier in the centre of Cobh. The ferry takes around 15 minutes each way and leaves several times each day.

Is Spike Island really worth visiting?

Yes! Spike Island in Cork is a fantastic little spot to escape to when visiting Cork. The history is dark and interesting and the reviews for the Spike Island tours are excellent.

Is there much to do nearby?

Yep! You’ve plenty to see in Cobh itself or you’re a short spin away from the likes of Fota and Cork City.

Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries . Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.

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Myles Fitzmaurice

Friday 17th of June 2022

Looking forward to visiting Spike Island in early July, what is the best time to visit.

Sunday 8th of March 2020

Interesting, this dark part in the history of Ireland. No one has ever mentioned this before. Sort of scared the day lights out of me. But would certainly like to visit it the next time around when I get to Ireland.

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Spike Island Tours

A visit to Spike Island is a journey through 1,300 years of Irish history, and a chance to explore our wild Irish nature. Departing from the scenic town of Cobh, your ticket gets you:

• The 10-minute return ferry journey across Cork harbour, one of the world’s largest natural harbours.
• A guided tour on arrival with one of our storytellers.
• Self-guided time after your tour to enjoy access to our fortress and prison—home to over a dozen museums, exhibitions and authentic centuries-old buildings, which showcase our rich past as a prison, fortress, and island home. See centuries-old prison cells, military emplacements and modern museum spaces, with lots for all ages to enjoy.
• Full access to our nature and walking trails—discover the 1.4 km glacis walk with stunning harbour views, or the 2.4 km ring of Spike, which is fully signposted and interpreted as it passes abandoned places like a village or convict cemetery.
• A map to explore our island’s walking trails and many interesting areas inside the fort (can also be downloaded from our website homepage).
• A map for children, and access to our brand new playground, to keep little ones entertained as they explore our fortress.
• A free to download augmented reality (AR) app for your phone, that offers historical reconstructions over real locations, designed to enhance your visiting experience.

Ticket options

• Adult (incl Ferry and Tour) Adult (incl Ferry and Tour) €26.95 + €1.00 booking fee 0 78 max
• Child (incl Ferry and Tour)(12 or under) Child (incl Ferry and Tour)(12 or under) €13.95 + €0.50 booking fee 0 78 max
• Family (incl Ferry and Tour) (2 Adults, 1-2 Kids 12 or under) Family (incl Ferry and Tour) (2 Adults, 1-2 Kids 12 or under) €65.95 + €1.95 booking fee 0 19 max
• Family (incl Ferry and Tour) (2 Adults, 3 Kids 12 or under) Family (incl Ferry and Tour) (2 Adults, 3 Kids 12 or under) €78.95 + €1.95 booking fee 0 15 max
• Student 18 years +(incl Ferry and Tour) ID REQUIRED Student 18 years +(incl Ferry and Tour) ID REQUIRED €21.95 + €1.00 booking fee 0 78 max
• Senior Citizen (65 & over)(incl Ferry and Tour) Senior Citizen (65 & over)(incl Ferry and Tour) €21.95 + €1.00 booking fee 0 78 max
• 2nd level Student (13 to 17 yrs) accompanied by an adult 18+ 2nd level Student (13 to 17 yrs) accompanied by an adult 18+ €16.95 + €0.75 booking fee 0 78 max
• Child Under 2 (incl Ferry and Tour) Child Under 2 (incl Ferry and Tour) €4.95 + €0.50 booking fee 0 78 max
• Regular Group Admission (Minimum 15+)) Regular Group Admission (Minimum 15+)) €23.95 0 78 max
• Senior Group Admission (Minimum 15+) Senior Group Admission (Minimum 15+) €19.95 0 78 max

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Spike Island Discovery (ORK18)

Port of Call

Activity Level & Duration

Experience Type

Sailing Schedule

Ferry journey.

Please click book now and select your chosen date of travel to see our full schedule for that day, as times do vary.  Boats typically depart 12pm and 1pm in the quiet season, with several sailings a day between 10am and 2.30pm in peak season.

Our typical opening times are as follows, but always click book now and select your intended date of travel for 100% accuracy;

FEBRUARY / MARCH / APRIL – Open weekends and school holidays.

START MAY TO END SEPTEMBER – Open daily.

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER – Open weekends and school holidays.

DECEMBER – JANUARY – Open to pre-booked groups only these months – groups can visit year round – contact us for booking info on [email protected]

Your ticket price includes:

•  The return ferry journey across Cork Harbour.
• Return ferry typically 3.5 hours after departure – longer or shorter on request.
• A guided tour on arrival to the island, from the pier to the fortress.
• A free map of the island and fort, so you can self explore after your tour.
• Access to all areas including over a dozen museums and authentic buildings.
• A cafe and gift shops on site.  Several toilet locations.
• A mini-bus is on site to take visitors from the fort to the pier if needed – but we do recommend the stunning walk!

Bernard & Helena McCarthy

Went over to Spike Island during the summer. What a great day out, very interesting place, great walks and a big field if you wanted too chill out or if the kids want to play. It has a shop so you can get food and drinks. You could make a whole day out of it, there was more added to it during the year so cannot wait to go over again this summer, would highly recommend it.

We had the pleasure & experience of visiting Spike Island on a day trip the journey from Cobh harbour was by ferry, the crew were great giving information & answering questions. Our tour guide was brilliant, an ex navy man himself, spent time with all. He really got across the history of Spike and we will definitely go again.

Great Tour of the Island. My Family and I visited Spike Island (February) and we all found it very interesting. The trip on the ferry accross was great and it was a dry day. We found it very interesting and for history lovers it is a great place to go. The views of Cobh from the Island are magnificent.

I went to Spike Island recently and found it totally amazing with the history and the heritage of the island. It's a great place to visit and the tour is great. If in Cork then it should be high on your list of places to go. Highly recommended.

Very impressive! It was our second time here and well worth the trip. Lots of interesting information presented with a touch of Irish humour. We'd strongly advise everyone to go there, it's a great day out! You can take the island in at your own pace or join a guided tour. It's a brilliant opportunity to see all of Cork harbour.

Kenny & Lisa

Both for history and nature enthusiasts. Be sure to catch the free guided tour that is included in your ticket. Our guide was very skilled and made the history come alive through stories he told.Also take the time to explore the island and enjoy the view of Cobh from a different perspective. Take a walk around and take in the beauty of the nature and the island as a whole!

Brussels, Belgium

Amazing, a hidden gem! Must-see. Myself and my husband visited Spike Island today and although we both live in Cork we had never been. It was absolutely brilliant and would highly recommend. Our guide was excellent, so knowledgeable and funny! Time flies so we will definitely be back and will also do the After Dark tour too. I would never get sick of visiting and feel it is the kind of place you could visit over and over and still see and learn new things.

Spike Island is well worth a visit. The scenery is beautiful, even for a walk, it is worthwhile to go and see. The tour guide was excellent too and we enjoyed it all. You could easily spend a few hours here, a great way to spend a day and very affordable too. It is advisable to book the ferry beforehand, it is a popular spot.

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

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