Spike Island, Cobh: Hours, Address, Spike Island Reviews: 4.5/5
Spike Island
Spike Island
4.5
11:00 - 17:00
Monday
11:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
11:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
11:00 - 17:00
Thursday
11:00 - 17:00
Friday
11:00 - 17:00
Saturday
11:00 - 17:00
Sunday
11:00 - 17:00
About
REOPEN MAY 31ST 2021 - Discover Ireland's Captains & Convicts, Rebels and Rioters & Sinners and Saints at Spike Island Cork, Ireland's historic island. Voted Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction of 2017! The Island is located off the coast of Cobh in Cork harbour & has over 1300 years of Irish history. From an island monastery & fortress to the world's largest prison in the 1850's and centuries of island homes. Your journey starts with a ferry ride before Ireland's best storytellers take you on a guided tour of the outer island and fortress. You can then self explore our prison cells, fortress, beautiful island walks and also use our on-site cafe. Attractions include the 1850's punishment block, the 1980's prison cells and riot exhibition, Ireland's largest artillery gun park and several penal, military and social history museums. With activities for children and families and guided and self-guided tours, Spike Island has something for everyone. Audio guides available.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tours and Tickets
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
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51 within 5 kms
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857
1.8 km€€ - €€€ • Irish • Bar • Seafood
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1.9 km€€ - €€€ • Irish • Bar • European
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262
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Cuppacity Coffee
172
1.9 km€ • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Cafe Vega
59
1.9 km€ • Irish • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
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62
1.9 km€€ - €€€ • Irish • Cafe • European
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78
1.9 km€€ - €€€ • Italian • Cafe • European
Coffee Cove
108
1.9 km€ • Irish • Cafe • European
Grand Italia Pizzeria & Restaurant
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Attractions
17 within 5 kms
Cobh Cathedral
1,279
2 kmReligious Sites
Titanic Experience Cobh
2,142
1.9 kmSpeciality Museums
Cobh Heritage Centre The Queenstown Story
1,145
1.9 kmSpeciality Museums
Camden Fort Meagher
315
2.8 kmHistoric Sites
Lusitania Memorial
123
1.9 kmMonuments & Statues
St Colman’s Cathedral
49
2 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Haulbowline Island
7
1.2 kmHistoric Sites • Military Bases & Facilities
President John F. Kennedy Memorial Park
64
2.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
Titanic Memorial Garden
71
2 kmHistoric Sites • Monuments & Statues
Cobh Museum
72
1.9 kmHistory Museums
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
2,571 reviews
Excellent
2,065
Very good
427
Average
42
Poor
11
Terrible
29
Ted L
3 contributions
Brilliant day at spike
Jun 2021 • Family
We were over on spike today with our 2 kids aged 3 and 9, they absolutely loved it, from the boat over to the guided tour from John G, very informative and put in a little humour, would definitely recommend it, 3 hours flew by you would easily spend another hour or 2 over there. Thanks again everyone
Written 12 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vinny D
1 contribution
First time on Spike Island and our enitre group enjoyed the day.
Jun 2021
We went with a group and a great day was had by all. Karl was our guide. He was very funny and enthusiastic. This experience is relatively new and will only get better with more funding and development.
Written 12 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lynn T
County Dublin, Ireland3 contributions
Fantastic Day Out
Jun 2021
Our tour guide was great, he gave such an interesting talk. The whole experience was very chilled and relaxing with stunning views and so much to see and learn.
Written 12 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Deborah M
1 contribution
Spike Island
Jun 2021
Fantastic day out ! Our tour guide was Karl, unreal knowledge and very enthusiastic! Would highly recommend Spike Island, only wish we had a little longer. Will definitely return. Wishing all the staff who work there all the best and well done for their hard work, commitment and dedication.
Written 11 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jim R
2 contributions
Brilliant day
Jun 2021 • Family
Great day out
Tour guide was John G and very knowledgeable and entertaining
Would recommend to anyone interested in history
Tour guide was John G and very knowledgeable and entertaining
Would recommend to anyone interested in history
Written 9 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ray M
2 contributions
My first trip to Spike Island
May 2021 • Family
Yesterday we visited Spike Island for the first time. We had a fantastic couple of hours there. Karl was our tour guide when we arrived. He was great at his job and told the history brilliantly. After the tour we got to spend a few hours walking around the island. Although the weather wasn’t great it didn’t dampen the fun we had. We will be going back
Written 9 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jenny W
1 contribution
Unusual day out
Jun 2021 • Family
We had a great guide named Karl, really knew his history and made it all very interesting, had good tips to get to see all the exhibits, he was very funny
Written 8 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
THELIMERICKROADIE1
12 contributions
Well worth visiting.
May 2021 • Family
Really enjoyed everything about the place. Easy access over to the island and our tour guide Rob was very helpful and full of knowledge and stories about the area. Would definitely go back again, highly recommend visiting Spike island .
Written 8 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul T
2 contributions
Amazing, great value, Karl tour guide 5 stars.
Jun 2021 • Family
June 7th. Don't miss the free tour guide, so informative, centuries of Irish and world history. Karl our tour guide was amazing and so patient when our young kids asked questions.
We thought that with 3 1/2 hours how would will fill the time but we could have stayed most of the day it was so good.
All the staff were very nice and professional.
We thought that with 3 1/2 hours how would will fill the time but we could have stayed most of the day it was so good.
All the staff were very nice and professional.
Written 8 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Martin H
3 contributions
Excellent tour, best one in Munster by far.
May 2021 • Couples
Probably one of the best and most enjoyable tours I have ever done in my life, I have taken the Spike Island tour now about 3 times and not only do I not ever get sick of it, I learn something new each and every time. The location is beautiful, the boat trip over is very comfortable and extremely enjoyable, the guys on the boat and absolute gents and the tour guides are all very friendly and so polite, and I would like to give special mention to one of the tour guides Karl, who was very funny, very knowledgeable, very friendly and a perfect gentleman. The facilities were brilliant and the exhibits around the island were very cool and the views were unbelievable. It’s a shame I can only give it 5 stars because it deserves so much more. There is a spooky and creepy vibe around the modern cell block which I though made the place much more interesting and exciting and the punishment block was very scarily quiet when we were there and made us really feel how bad a place it must have been for prisoners there which also made it very real and exciting. Heard some really funny stories too which broke up the sort of potentially boring history of one should find it boring at all but there’s not a thing to be bored by on this island as everything is so interesting and the tour guides keep you hooked on the tour the whole time. Rarely have I seen your guides that can hold a crowd as well as the spike island guides can do day in day out. Will totally be doing it again in the future and hopefully it will not be too long before I do it again.
Written 8 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BackPacker371075
0 contributions
Why were the staff let go after having to fight for toilet facilities and being told they can wash their hands with a tap along the pier that fishermen use to wash out their buckets.
joanbE4056AQ
Cashel, Ireland1 contribution
Hi can we bring a small dog on a leash please?
Kevin M
13 contributions
Only service dogs are allowed.
Connector64352827117
0 contributions
Hi, can I go to Spike Island without a guided tour?
Also, what are the return times for the ferry from Spike Island to come back to Cobh?
John C
Cork, Ireland23 contributions
Hi there, the guided tour is included in the ticket price and it is optional. The ticket price is one price for the ferry, guided tour and island access.
We normally have 2/3 boats a day in the quiet season and 6/8 boats a day in summer, see the website for definite times. Your return is automatically reserved for 3.5 hours after you sail, so 12pm would be 3.30pm, etc. The island has over a dozen musuems and exhibitions as well as scenic island walks and a cafe, you would easily fill this time. But you are very welcome to change to an earlier or later return time if there is space on another sailing. You simply visit the gift shop on site with your ticket and they will advise you of the options. There is generally space to go back at different times, if it was essential you could let us know in advance so we could give you the options.
Regards, John, Spike Island.
Shane C
Wexford, Ireland6 contributions
Hi John, we will have our dog with us all day & would like to visit Spike Island - has the ferry come on board yet that allows dogs?
Regards
Shane
tony b
County Dublin, Ireland69 contributions
I don't know. The ferry we were on was very full. Rows of seats.Perhaps a guide dog? As there are nesting birds and other ground wild life I imagine that loose dogs would be forbidden.
5rttttttttttttttt
0 contributions
Can you buy tickets at the pier for tour
John C
Cork, Ireland23 contributions
Yes, we highly recommend advance booking.
smythk2017
Belfast, UK1 contribution
Is it far to walk from the ferry to the entrance and cafe. One of our party has limited walking abilities
Tommy Heatly
Wicklow, Ireland53 contributions
it is about half a mile from ferry to cafe etc,but it is all up a fairly steep hill.there is a bus though on the island for people with mobility issues and will be there when you exit the ferry.You will be well looked after by the staff there.
G1RLONE52
Chelmsford, UK21 contributions
HI On the website the times are in 3 and a half hour slots. Would the 2pm ferry then be back in Cobh by 5.30pm . We are visiting by cruise ship to Cobh . Thanks
Navigate64371128332
0 contributions
Hi, I dont think you would be back by 5.30pm sharp, from memory I believe ferry leaves at 5.30pm, its a 10/20 minute journey each way because the ferries dont take the same route out and back. You get to see a bit extra from the boat such as Irish Naval Base and maybe a seal or two on the rocks. Also its popular so a few minutes to disembark. Best to go earlier, come back earlier and have a wander around Cobh before getting back on the cruise ship.
norma o
0 contributions
Can we bring bikes to the island? Also - is it suitable for 5 and 6 year olds?
Tommy Heatly
Wicklow, Ireland53 contributions
1. Not entirely sure about bringing bicycles over but I would think not.You could call the ferry company but if you are going it is a good idea to pre book the tickets.
2.Personally I would say no it would not be suitable fir 5-6 year olds.Obviously this is a personal decision for parents but me, I would not bring 5-6 year olds..
ppgleeson
County Kerry, Ireland2 contributions
Is the website working - do you have to book through future ticketing ?
Looking to book ASAP
Thanks
John C
Cork, Ireland23 contributions
Hi there, yes, you can book in advance though our website which has a book now link to take you to ticketing. We recommend advance booking. If there is any problem with the online option we can be called or emailed via the details on the website and we will contact you to confirm a booking.
Regards, Spike Island.