Spike Island Tour

rob316 · 13-07-2018 4:23pm #1

I finally got a chance to go on the Spike Island Tour last weekend, what a gem.

The weather was great which added to it, but the history, sights were brilliant. It really is a must see and enjoyable 3.5 hours.

I found it probably more interesting than Alcatraz. Anyone else been and what they thought?

ocallaghan12 · 13-07-2018 4:40pm

I was there last Sunday, the weather was fantastic so that was a bonus. Very interesting alright and we really enjoyed it and would recommend it to everyone. Word of advice to people who want to go is pre book online as we saw people just arriving and being turned away as it was booked out.

Tom44 · 13-07-2018 9:54pm

It's good, but pre book.

Lia_lia · 13-07-2018 10:39pm

I was there last year. Was brilliant. But would have liked more time to explore.

two wheels good · 16-07-2018 8:57am

Ireland’s Alcatraz: Spike Island in Cork

GavRedKing · 16-07-2018 2:44pm

I was out there with work a few weeks back and its was interesting.

I'd definitely recommend it if the weather is decent.

Lex Luthor · 18-07-2018 9:59pm

heading there on the weekend, just booked
I've done Alcatraz so looking forward to this one aswell
Fingers crossed for the weather

beer enigma · 19-07-2018 2:29pm

Is there a cheaper option to get out there, I have three kids over the age of 12, so apparently have to pay adult rate, that 5 * €18 = €90 !!

Judes · 24-07-2018 2:17pm

Hey Enigma - no there isn't but once there you can be there for hours - and you could bring your own picnic - so there's really a day's entertainment for you and the kids. Between the boat trip across the harbour, the sites, the actual tour etc. it's just fantastic. J

Lex Luthor · 28-07-2018 8:48pm

Did the tour last Sunday
you just get 3.5hrs, no more
If you miss your boat on the return you have to wait for the last boat at 6:30 with staff to return
That's the negative
Saying this because we could have done with more time to wander about
We got lucky with the weather but if its a wet day, I wouldn't fancy it
Other than that, really recommend

waxmelts2000 · 06-08-2018 12:53pm

Did the tour on Saturday it was fab, sun was shining, it's a great tour. Would recommend

Justin Credible Darts · 15-08-2018 6:21am

use to go to spike island in the 70s as my father was working on there,
There was even a few families still living on the Island, and the old buildings, underground spots were magical for a kid like me.

I always remember the cats, there was hundreds of wild feral cats on the island at the time, which were obviously stuck on the island and remember one tomcat looking more aggressive than any dog I had seen.

Its a beautiful place, which lost a lot of its feel when the prison was built and a lot of the old barracks building removed, but will always be worth a visit

whisky_galore · 16-08-2018 10:52am

beer enigma wrote: »

Is there a cheaper option to get out there, I have three kids over the age of 12, so apparently have to pay adult rate, that 5 * €18 = €90 !!

About time they started earning a wage so.

Strange they wouldn't do it for something reasonable, a package, a student rate or something. €90 is a big ball of money.

Justin Credible Darts · 16-08-2018 1:35pm

Typical Ireland, milk you as much as you can.

sporina · 14-08-2021 12:54pm

did the Spike Island tour yday - twas absolutely brilliant - but defo wanna go back - 3.5 hrs is not long enough.. there is sooo much to read in the museums.. there is soo much to learn... not just about the prison but about the harbour itself.. and periods of history steming from the 1800's right up to present day..

the staff wer great - so enthusiastic - they obv love their job.. they told some v fascinating stories.. wanna know more..

the scenery is great too - we wer lucky to have good weather

went with 4 mates and we had great craic too

Cobh was hopping too - its really v beautiful there on a sunny day - got some class pics from around the town..

I highly recommend it for anyone who has not already done it

Odelay · 14-08-2021 1:01pm

Highly recommend. As others have said 3.5hrs is not enough, could have done with another 2 hrs. Food there is good too and reasonably priced I thought.

namloc1980 · 23-08-2021 11:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/107803855#Comment_107803855

Ferry over and back, tour and amazing sights. €18 for that is great value, admittedly when you are paying for a few people it adds up but still great value. People here mentioned Alcatraz - that is substantially more expensive. $40+ for a single ticket over 12 years old for the most basic 2 hour tour.

Miaireland · 24-08-2021 2:56pm

I was there the year before last and really enjoyed it. I agree that 3.5 hours is to little. There was not the option to stay longer when we were there but this may have changed. I probably would eat before you go or bring food with you as the restaurant had a limited enough selection (or did when we were there). I would suggest if someone has trouble walking up hills that they take the bus that meets you by boat. A couple of people in our group struggled a bit with the hill.

igCorcaigh · 24-08-2021 3:45pm

Has anyone done the After Dark tour?

trackrunner · 25-08-2021 9:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117795434#Comment_117795434

Went to the Blasket Islands recently. €35 each for the ferry (15/20 minutes) and 1 hour guided tour. I'd agree €18 for Spike Island is very good value!

greenspurs · 25-08-2021 9:26am

I would recommend also.

Very accommodating workers. Id deffo stay for the wee guided tour, as the guide we had (John?? ) was great craic, and is a great storyteller (typical corkonian :) )

Lots to see there. Cobh is beautiful too ..

Phil.x · 25-08-2021 9:35am

We "done" it on Friday last week and weather was so bad, so bad I was asking was it safe, but credit to those old metal boats they don't move too much even in that weather, but the captain tried twice to dock but couldn't so returned back.

Tauriel · 30-08-2021 6:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117797915#Comment_117797915

I have done the After Dark Tour (did it twice, one was a normal After Dark tour while the second had one of the authors of "The Ship of Seven Murders" do a little talk in the middle about her book), the Behind The Scenes tour and day tour on numerous occasions.

Definitely worth it as both bring you to places that are not open during the day tour (considered too scary for kids).

But at the same time the day tour allows you to other places that is not possible to fit into the After Dark and Behind the Scenes tour.

Spike Island Tour

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