Spike Island, Province of Munster, Ireland

5.0 (3.009 reviews) Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM Spent More than 3 hours Ranking #1 in Province of Munster Islands

Easy trip worth the time!

Discover Ireland's Captains & Convicts and Sinners and Saints at Spike Island Cork, Ireland's historic island. Voted Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction of 2017! The Island is located off the coast of Cobh in Cork harbour & has over 1300 years of Irish history. From an island monastery & fortress to the world's largest prison in the 1850's and centuries of island homes. Your journey starts with a ferry ride before Ireland's best storytellers take you on a guided tour of the outer island and fortress. You can then self explore our prison cells, fortress, beautiful island walks and also use our on-site cafe. Attractions include the 1850's punishment block, the 1980's prison cells and riot exhibition, Ireland's largest artillery gun park and several penal, military and social history museums. With activities for children and families and guided and self-guided tours, Spike Island has something for everyone. Audio guides available, cafe and gift shop on site.

Address

, Cobh, Ireland.

Mobile

+353 21 237 3455

Website

http://www.spikeislandcork.ie/

Working hours

Monday : 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Tuesday : 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Wednesday : 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Thursday : 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Friday : 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Saturday : 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Sunday : 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Current local date and time now

Tuesday, May 07, 2024, 1:11

User Ratings

5.0 based on (3.009 reviews)

Excellent

82%

Good

15%

Satisfactory

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Reviews

4lisac 5:00 PM Jul 26, 2022
Worth the visit
We booked our tickets the day before and found free parking up at the cathedral, which gives you about a 15 min walk down hill to the dock area. The parking near the Dock is only 3 hour long but the tour to spike Island is 3 & half hours long. The boat ride across was nice, we had to go the longer way around as the tide was low but this just added to the fun and it was great to see the navy base. Once on the island its worth while taking the small tour with the guide, they give you some great info on your way upto the forth. There are toilets just by the dock that where very clean and tidy and the next ones aren't until you get up the hill and in the Fort at the restaurant. You are given a map and once in the Fort there is loads to see and info about the Fort and its times over the years as a prison. There is a restaurant on site, this was the down side for me, the cheese cake had a skin on it and the coffee was not good(milk over heated and burnt the coffee, no barrista training here), but they have a captive audience, they had soup and sandwiches, soft drinks and a good selection of cakes and buns. There is a larger walk around the outside off the Fort, we stayed within the Fort and still found the time went fast. Its well worth a visit and we are glad we went.
5JSM 5:00 PM Jun 20, 2022
Easy trip worth the time!
Fantastic tour! Took the train from Cork to Cobh, pronounced “Cove” and only a 26 minute train. Out of train to right brings you to the town. On the waterside you will see the sign Spike Island. We purchased our tickets ahead of time to guarantee a spot…a quick 10 minute Ferry ride to the island. When you arrive you are given the option of a tour guide or walk on your own…I highly recommend the guide. Ours was Monica. She was fabulous! The entire time on island is a lot so I asked if I could catch an earlier ferry back and was told to bring paper ticket that was issued to the gift shop and they would let me know if there was room in an earlier ferry, which there was. We had plenty of time to walk the inner island as well as walk the perimeter TWICE!. There are amenities but be warned you might find prices more expensive…I did not purchase anything so I don’t know how expensive. Very interesting story…great for historians and military buffs especially!