How much does it cost to visit Spike Island?

Standard adult admission is €27.95. Guided experiences start from €27.95 per person.

How long does a visit to Spike Island take?

Allow 3–4 hours for a comfortable visit. Arriving early in the morning or late afternoon helps avoid the busiest periods in summer.

When is Spike Island open?

Year-round (seasonal hours; check ferry timetable)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

All Attractions

Heritage

Spike Island

Name: Spike Island
Address: Cobh, Cork, IE
Price range: €27.95

Co. Cork · 3–4 hours

Spike Island sits in the middle of Cork Harbour, accessible by ferry from Cobh. The island is dominated by Fort Mitchel, an 18th-century star-shaped defensive fortification built in a chain of harbour defences extending from Cobh to Crosshaven. The fort was expanded and strengthened throughout the 19th century and served as both a military garrison and, notoriously, as a prison — at its peak in 1848, it held more than 2,300 Famine convicts awaiting transportation to Australia.

The history of the island spans over 1,400 years. A 6th-century monastery preceded the fort; the island was a British military base until 1938; it was then an Irish Army garrison, then a naval base, then a young offenders' institution that did not close until 2004. The layering of monastic, military, penal and naval history in a relatively small space creates an unusually rich heritage site.

Spike Island was named Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction at the 2017 World Travel Awards — beating Buckingham Palace, the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum, a result that surprised many but reflects the quality of the heritage interpretation and the unusual combination of setting and story. The ferry from Cobh takes 10 minutes and runs year-round.

Highlights

Fort Mitchel — a star-shaped 19th-century fortress enclosing the entire island, with bastions, tunnels and barracks
The 1848 convict prison — at peak capacity it held 2,300 Famine convicts awaiting transportation to Australia
World's Leading Tourist Attraction 2017 (TripAdvisor) — the heritage interpretation is genuinely exceptional
1,400 years of history: from a 6th-century monastery to a young offenders' institution that closed in 2004
Cork Harbour views — the star fort, the harbour mouth and the approaching container ships from the island ramparts

Good to know

→Book the ferry in advance in summer — it's the only access and spaces fill up, especially at weekends.
→The guided tour is strongly recommended to give context to the layered history of the site.
→Combine with Cobh (10 min by ferry, then 10 min on foot to the Titanic Quarter) for a full Cork Harbour day.
→Bring food — the island has a café but it can be busy. The walk around the ramparts takes 1.5 hours minimum.
→The ferry from Cobh runs from Kennedy Pier — easily reached by train from Cork city (25 min).

Best Time to Visit

May–Sep; ferry bookings fill quickly Jul–Aug so book online in advance. Morning departures from Cobh give the best light over Cork Harbour. The guided tour of Fort Mitchel takes 90 minutes and covers the island's complex history as a fortress and prison.

Getting There

ORKCork

30 min drive

Common questions

How do I get to Spike Island?

Ferry services to Spike Island depart from Kennedy Pier in Cobh, County Cork. The crossing takes about 10 minutes. Tickets must be booked in advance online — the island is not accessible without a pre-booked ticket. Ferry timetables are tide-dependent and vary seasonally. Book at least a day ahead in summer.

Do I need to book Spike Island in advance?

Yes — Spike Island only accepts pre-booked visitors. Walk-up tickets are not available. Book through the official Spike Island website. The island has a daily visitor capacity and popular summer dates sell out. Entry includes the ferry and access to Fort Mitchel and the island grounds.

How long should I spend on Spike Island?

A guided tour of Fort Mitchel takes about 1.5 hours. Adding time to walk around the island exterior, the graveyard and the original monastic site takes 3–4 hours in total. Guided tours run throughout the day — check the departure times when booking.

What is the history of Spike Island?

Spike Island has been a monastic site, a military garrison and a prison across 1,400 years of occupation. At its darkest, in 1848–49, the fort held over 2,300 Famine-era convicts in conditions of terrible overcrowding, awaiting transportation to Australia. The 'Devil's Island of Ireland' was named Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards in 2017, beating the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum.