Discover 1300 years of history at Spike Island

Take a short ferry from the heritage town of Cobh and sail across one of the world’s largest natural harbours. Upon arrival at the island, enjoy a guided tour with a professional storyteller who will bring 1300 years of history to life. Once the guided tour is complete, enter the fortress and self-explore the many museums and exhibitions, authentic buildings and scenic island walking trails. Sit in original famine-era prison cells, explore Ireland’s largest artillery gun park and discover the island’s rich past.

Highlights
  • A short ferry trip to an historic island in Cork Harbour
  • The 200 year old 24 acre Fortress built to defend an empire
  • The largest prison in the world in the 1850’s
  • Several leading visitor attractions with military, penal and social history
  • 104 acres of beautiful green walks
  • Unrivalled views of heritage town Cobh and Cork harbour
  • An ideal family day out with picnic spots, café, gift shop and wide open spaces
Open

Open Year Round

Open Daily 1st May to 31st September

Weekends only February to April

Prices

Admission Rates Apply

See the website for prices

Useful Information

Check out their range of facilities, services, accessibility, and other useful information.

LANGUAGES: Audio guides can be purchased in Irish, English, French and German. Printed guides can be purchased in purchased in Irish, English and Spanish.

DINING / REFRESHMENTS: Café on site, seats up to 98 and serves soups, sandwiches, hot rolls, paninis, confectionary, teas, coffees, cakes, deserts and soft drinks. Open all day until 30 minutes before final ferry departure.

PICNICS: They have several outdoor picnic areas and picnic hampers can be hired up to 48 hours in advance for collection from their cafe.

SHOPPING: Gift shop sells branded stationary, clothing, books, video and toys.

PARKING: Free parking is recommended at the car park on the North side of Cobh Cathedral, which is a 10 minute walk to Kennedy Pier, Cobh, next to Titanic Cobh. Free car and coach parking is also available at the Five Foot Way Car park, which is 1.5km from Cobh centre.

ACCESSIBILITY: Their current departure pier has a flight of stairs which wheelchairs cannot access.

GROUPS: Group rates available (minimum 15 people). Pre-booking required. Spike Island can, by request, accommodate special interest tour groups interested in any aspect of the island and its history e.g. groups interested in military, architecture, penal, nature etc.

WI-FI: Free Wi-Fi available throughout the island.

ACCOLADES & AWARDS:

  • Named EUROPE’S LEADING TOURIST ATTRACTION 2017 at the WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS.
  • NUMBER 1 attraction in Cork on Tripadvisor.
  • Excellence in local authority – tourism nominee
More
Getting There

Ferries depart from Kennedy pier which is right in the centre of Cobh next to Titanic Cobh. Cobh is 25 minutes by car and 23 minutes by train from Cork city centre, 25km distance. 25 minutes from Cork Airport, 23km. Exit junction 3 on the N25 signposted Cobh.

Map Location: 51.834461, -8.286230
Contact Spike Island

Kennedy Pier, Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland


Eircode: P24 E446
T: +353 (0)21 237 3455
W: www.spikeislandcork.ie
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