Spike Island
This island has a storied history that spans 1000 years, from an early Christian monastery to a notorious prison.
Overview
Located in Cork Harbour, Spike Island's story is long and winding. Traced back to a seventh-century monastic settlement, the imposing Fort Mitchel was built over a thousand years later as a military stronghold.
Later, the site was a notorious prison, sometimes called Ireland's Alcatraz. Now a tourist destination, engaging guides reveal the island's storied past.
Images: Tourism Ireland