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Secret site

Spike Island

Cork Harbour, County Cork

Ireland's 'Alcatraz', a fortress prison in Cork Harbour.

Spike Island is crowned by Fort Mitchel, a star-shaped fortress. In 1847, during the Famine, it became a huge convict prison, and many prisoners died there.

Read the full story, see it on the map, get directions and find what else is nearby in the free Hidden Britain Atlas map.

When
1800s to 2004
Where
51.8350, -8.2900
Group
Secret bunkers & war sites

Visiting

Ferries run from Cobh. Open most of the year.

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