Ireland's Alcatraz - the Story of Spike Island
Irish History Podcast
Fin Dwyer
4.7 • 1.8K Ratings
🗓️ 21 February 2023
⏱️ 33 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Spike Island in Cork Harbour is often referred to as 'Ireland’s Alcatraz'. While this famous island prison began life as a monastery it was transformed into a fortress during the American Revolutionary War. However Spike island gained it's notorious reputation during the Great Hunger of the 1840s when a prison was opened in the fort.
This episode recorded on Spike island tells the story of Ireland’s Alcatraz…
I would like to thank the team on Spike Island for facilitating the recording of this episode. In particular I would like to thank Tom O’Neill for his time and expertise.
Sound by Kate Dunlea
Visit Spike Island: https://www.spikeislandcork.ie/
If you want find out more about Spike Island these texts come highly recommended.
Spike Island: Saint Felons and Famine
Too beautiful for thieves and pickpockets: A history of the Victorian convict prison on spike island
Spike Island republican prisoners 1921
My exclusive Supporters Civil War Series with Dr Brian Hanley from Trinity College Dublin continues on Thursday. Episode II looks at Michael Collins and the Outbreak of the War. This is available on www.patreon.com/irishpodcast and Acast+.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcript
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| 1:08.0 | Hello and welcome to the Irish History Podcast. My name is Finn Dwyer. |
| 1:12.0 | And today I have a very special episode recorded on location for you. |
| 1:16.0 | I've just stepped ashore on Spike Island, what's often called Ireland's Alcatraz. |
| 1:22.0 | This place was a monastic settlement and military fortification. |
| 1:26.0 | But above all, a prison and in this episode I'm going to explore what's an incredible size. |
| 1:31.0 | Now while I wake my way off the pier, I've just come across on a boat. |
| 1:35.0 | I just want to say that the supporters exclusive series on the Civil War |
| 1:40.0 | that continues over on Patreon and Acast Plus this week. |
| 1:43.0 | That's with Dr. Bob Brian Handley. |
| 1:45.0 | But from here on I just want to talk to you about Spike Island and just an incredible history. |
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