Spike Island
Inis Píc
A star-shaped fort island in Cork Harbour, once Ireland's Alcatraz, reached by a 15-minute ferry ride.
Spike Island lies opposite Cobh. The island has a 19th-century star-shaped fort, Fort Mitchel, which has served in turn as a monastery, a military fort, and a prison. It held convicts transported during the Great Famine and earned the nickname Ireland's Alcatraz. It remained in use as a prison until 2004. Visitors can tour the cells, isolation rooms, gun batteries, and underground passages, and can walk the perimeter path to enjoy views over the harbor. Ferries leave from Kennedy Pier in Cobh and take about 15 minutes. The ferry ticket includes admission, which costs about 25 euros in total. Allow around 3 hours for the visit, and book online in advance.
Opening hours
Ferry approx. 10:00–17:00 (winter weekends)
Nearby sights
- Titanic Experience Cobh
- St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh
- Cobh
- Cobh Heritage Centre – The Queenstown Story
- Fota Wildlife Park
- Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens
- Blackrock Castle Observatory
- Jameson Distillery Midleton