Spike Island Experience
A visit to Spike Island is a journey through 1,300 years of Irish history, and a chance to explore our wild Irish nature. Departing from the scenic town of Cobh, your ticket gets you:
- The 10-minute return ferry journey across Cork harbour, one of the world’s largest natural harbours.
- A guided tour with one of our storytellers.
- Self-guided time to experience our fortress and prison—home to over a dozen museums, exhibitions and authentic centuries-old buildings, which showcase our rich past as a prison, fortress, and island home. See prison cells, military emplacements and modern museum spaces, with lots for all ages to explore and enjoy.
- Full access to our nature and walking trails, Discover the 1.4 km glacis walk with stunning harbour views, or the 2.4 km ring of Spike, which is a fully signposted and interpreted walk, passing areas including an abandonned village and a convict cemetery.
- A map to explore our island’s walking trails and many interesting areas inside the fortress (Map can also be downloaded from our website homepage).
- A quiz trail for children, and access to our playground, to keep little ones entertained as they explore our fortress.
- A free to download augmented reality (AR) app for your phone, that offers historical reconstructions over real locations, designed to enhance your visiting experience.
Ticket options
A visit to Spike Island is a journey through 1,300 years of Irish history, and a chance to explore our wild Irish nature. Departing from the scenic town of Cobh, your ticket gets you:
- The 10-minute return ferry journey across Cork harbour, one of the world’s largest natural harbours.
- A guided tour with one of our storytellers.
- Self-guided time to experience our fortress and prison—home to over a dozen museums, exhibitions and authentic centuries-old buildings, which showcase our rich past as a prison, fortress, and island home. See prison cells, military emplacements and modern museum spaces, with lots for all ages to explore and enjoy.
- Full access to our nature and walking trails, Discover the 1.4 km glacis walk with stunning harbour views, or the 2.4 km ring of Spike, which is a fully signposted and interpreted walk, passing areas including an abandonned village and a convict cemetery.
- A map to explore our island’s walking trails and many interesting areas inside the fortress (Map can also be downloaded from our website homepage).
- A quiz trail for children, and access to our playground, to keep little ones entertained as they explore our fortress.
- A free to download augmented reality (AR) app for your phone, that offers historical reconstructions over real locations, designed to enhance your visiting experience.
Our payments are processed using : Stripe (Checkout)
