Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The gates to Fort Mitchel on Spike Island: City County Council has finalised a €40m plan to turn the island into a tourist hotspot. Wikimedia Commons

Cork council publishes €40m ‘master plan’ for Spike Island tourism

‘Ireland’s Alcatraz’ would become a major tourist trap and national park under Cork County Council’s new plans.

IRELAND’S ANSWER to Alcatraz could become a major tourist trap and national park under a €40 million ‘master plan’ published by Cork County Council.

The council proposes to designate a 100-acre national park on Spike Island in Cork Harbour, with a complex of heritage and cultural attractions in Fort Mitchel in the centre of the island.

The island – a former monastery which became a prison in the 19th century – has been largely uninhabited since 2004, but has has begun attracting up to 200,000 tourists a year since the island was handed over to the council and publicly opened in 2010.

The council has now prepared a major plan with Scott Tallon Walker architects to “offer a variety of visitor experiences”, hoping to make the island a more popular year-round destination.

The three-phase plan would see the fort developed into a multimedia tourist attraction, a venue which could house concerts with up to 6,000 attendees, and a newly-built aquarium.

The development would see the island play host to re-enactments of military and penal scenes, and house a learning centre “dedicated to oceanography and the expansive marine resources of Ireland’s Continental Shelf”.

The council says the development of the island would promote the economic potential of the Cork Harbour area, and would see an increase in regular ferry traffic between Cork, the island and Haulbowline.

The plan is to be put to councillors at their monthly meeting next Monday night, when members will be asked to approve a multi-year investment plan for the works on the island.

The council has said it hopes to secure funding from Fáilte Island for the first phase of works, to focus on the island’s environment and history, which are earmarked to begin in 2013 if the plan is approved.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
34 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Kenny
    Favourite Mick Kenny
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 7:28 AM

    great news. its a fascinating place with an amazing history. great to see this investment

    210
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Figo murphy
    Favourite Figo murphy
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 9:05 AM

    Who do you think you are Mick? Coming on here with your positivity! Go on, away with you now.

    137
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute OU812
    Favourite OU812
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 7:26 AM

    I’d rather they re developed it into a prison again & started putting corrupt officials, bankers & politicians there.

    175
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vinnie Mulvihill
    Favourite Vinnie Mulvihill
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 8:39 AM

    I’d rather they used the 40million off our dept…is the country really in recession or is it just the people in recession

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Gabbett
    Favourite Eileen Gabbett
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 9:36 AM

    Vinnie
    You are spot on . It is the people are in recession . This country has lots of money we the people are being pushed into poverty to save the wealthy corporations. I was in Grafton St yesterday in Dublin …..Lots of very expensive shops there still trading and doing well. The wealth is being protected.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 7:27 AM

    Considering most prisoners have holiday camp conditions this is a great idea. Our criminals can go on nostalgia trips

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Creamy Hamstrings
    Favourite Creamy Hamstrings
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 7:34 AM

    What’s a leaning centre? An unstable building?

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute rodrigo detriano
    Favourite rodrigo detriano
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 7:45 AM

    Haven’t they got one of them in Pisa!!

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavan Reilly
    Favourite Gavan Reilly
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 7:58 AM

    It’s a stability-challenged place of learning. Duuuuh. ;)

    32
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Kavanagh
    Favourite Mary Kavanagh
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 10:24 AM

    LOL+++
    Spike Island with a Leaning Centre!
    Ireland’s answer to Alcatraz and the Leaning Tower of Pisa all in one!

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute A O'Brien
    Favourite A O'Brien
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 7:52 AM

    If they are going to have a 6,000 seat concert they will need to do something about road access. The local infrastructure can’t cope as it is.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Kenny
    Favourite Mick Kenny
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 8:10 AM

    parking in Cobh is mad and the huge amount of locals who warned me about the local traffic warden zero tolerance approach made me leave Cobh early out of fear of getting fined.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Vickery
    Favourite Richard Vickery
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 8:55 AM

    How many 6000 seater concert halls do we need in Cork? There is planning for two in Cork already.

    13
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mansfield
    Favourite Chris Mansfield
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 11:45 AM

    There’s a massive free car park in Cobh for those who can stomach the 10 minute walk into the town. And it has the best commuter rail service outside Dublin.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Gabbett
    Favourite Eileen Gabbett
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 7:53 AM

    Spike Island is full of history and even has its own resident ghost The White lady I heard. A great idea . I am delighted to know that Cork Co.Co. has the money to invest this kind of money in the project . Will it be ready for The Gathering 2013? It could even be used to host a Gathering event … :)-

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Vickery
    Favourite Richard Vickery
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 8:57 AM

    The white lady correct me if I’m wrong is in Kinsale.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Gabbett
    Favourite Eileen Gabbett
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 9:33 AM

    There was a white Lady in my Grandad’s cow shed ( in Limerick) too ! There are a few of them . Maybe she moves from place to place ? The point tho is that there is a lot of history on that island and it would be good to have it detailed. I am sure I would visit it.

    11
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Barry
    Favourite Tom Barry
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 9:56 AM

    There was a white lady in my bedroom last night, giggity

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Gabbett
    Favourite Eileen Gabbett
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 10:13 AM

    Tom Barry
    Good man :)

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Gabbett
    Favourite Eileen Gabbett
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 10:15 AM

    Tom Barry
    Good man :) Lol.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David
    Favourite David
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 7:34 AM

    Great use of the Household Charge. What supercedes a Master Plan? If I have a plan, how do I get to qualify it as a Master Plan?

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ryan oneill
    Favourite Ryan oneill
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 8:10 AM

    I didn’t know the house hold charge accumulated 40million?! Hogan must still be in the postal room opening up letters

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donna oliver
    Favourite Donna oliver
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 9:09 AM

    Great idea! Stop being so cynical everyone ….this will boost Cork tourism …..badly needed……and inject money into our sadly depleted city reserves!

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Byrne
    Favourite Declan Byrne
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 8:18 AM

    Good to see some good news and a decent idea for a change. Fantastic history hopefully the tour will be good.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ryan oneill
    Favourite Ryan oneill
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 8:12 AM

    Now this is what I call a tourism boost deck the gathering we need more of these pro active ideas!

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ryan oneill
    Favourite Ryan oneill
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 8:13 AM

    Sorry that was feck!! Not deck

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jess Ousley
    Favourite Jess Ousley
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 8:33 AM

    If they can spare that kind of money for tourism, surely they can spare some for health and education?

    All the big bucks go into the superficial things in this country, instead of setting down a decent foundation for the people. How frustrating!

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Byrne
    Favourite Declan Byrne
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 9:21 AM

    Jess tourism in this country employs a lot of people. Anything that hopefully attracts more tourists will help maintain jobs at least and give an injection of money from tourists. I think your well off the mark with your comment.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Byrne
    Favourite Declan Byrne
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 9:07 AM

    40mil in a good idea is always good. As long as there is benefit realization done to see if the 40mil over 10 yrs attracted enough tourism to offset the cost it will be money well spent.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mir Dwyer
    Favourite Mir Dwyer
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 10:38 AM

    Why not get the prisoners to do it? After all they are getting more of everything in prison than we are on the outside!

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Mann
    Favourite Mike Mann
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 8:32 AM

    Good idea…..but can you afford it…..

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Noonan
    Favourite Declan Noonan
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 1:27 PM

    Great idea and to the naysayers above, how about we build a big special place for the lot of you and send you all there!!!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maria Houlihan
    Favourite Maria Houlihan
    Report
    Oct 27th 2013, 1:30 AM

    Well, I’d visit it. My late Dad was in the Irish Army during the Emergency… young lads ,largely unsupervised he said, used to row out on boats with supplies for a week and be relieved the following week. Anti-aircraft guns and plane spotting.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Needham
    Favourite John Needham
    Report
    Nov 9th 2012, 12:23 PM

    hmmm…

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds