Ireland's Alcatraz - The prison of Spike Island

RTÉ's Colm Flynn visits the notorious 'Spike Island' prison just off the coast of Cobh in Co. Cork.
In the last 1300 years Spike Island has been host to a 6th century Monastery and a 24 acre Fortress that became the largest convict depot in the world in Victorian times! The island's rich history has included monks and monasteries, rioters and redcoats, captains and convicts and sinners and saints.
Today the island is dominated by the 200 year old Fort Mitchel, the star shaped Fortress which became a prison holding over 2300 prisoners. Take the scenic ferry ride from Kennedy Pier, Cobh, and get captured in the history and mystery of this magical island.

[@gcprost]

I just learned about Spike Island from filming my wife's aunt's life story. She grew up on the island. I would love to see it now.

[@samo.v]

went to spike island i swear i keep on hearing someone cry or laugh in one of the cells, i dont know what it was, but i wasnt imagining it my friends were hearing it too.

[@dancing2785]

Sound fx

[@lordess.solaris]

In one of the peep hole cells? If so then it’s a sound effect

[@goozgaming9940]

It's a sound effect, the prison uses those to tell people how prisoners were going insane and stuff

[@Scoil_Ming_gan_trocaire]

That was Patrick Tierneys cell it shows how his health was broken

[@72mossy]

Going down to see this island on Saturday 16/06/18 with my family and 79 year old father. I don't know how many times I heard him say"he should be f****d into Spike island ". He'll see it first hand now.

[@NOS370]

Was there back in 1840 for stealing bread

[@jmclerkin]

Love Spike Island!

[@poo898]

Ive been there over 50 times

[@jmclerkin]

There's so much to see!

[@thomasesmonde1690]

You must have some record

[@jmclerkin]

+Thomas Esmonde haha

[@Mark-ko2mr]

Done 5yrs there.

[@badboysoul8691]

Any stories ?

[@froggydoggy8473]

I went on a school trip to spike Island

[@TheOnlyWil]

You could fit at least 8 Alcatraz’s into spike island

[@Shannononly]

Actually, 10. He said it’s 10 times the size of Alcatraz.

[@FTJGamingandTrading]

Typo in the Title but great video otherwise.

[@aaronoconnell359]

My family lived on the island till it closed

[@NOS370]

Aaron O' Connell what did the do there

[@aaronoconnell359]

@@NOS370 normal everyday things my nan was also shot in the arm by a prison guard