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FIREWORKS FUN EVENING ON SPIKE ISLAND SET TO LIGHT UP CORK HARBOUR

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Spike Island is set to light up Cork harbour on July 6th in both a celebration and commemoration of its past.  The island celebrates its 81st birthday on July 11th which is the date the island was handed from Britain to Ireland in 1938.  A reluctant Britain was forced to part with the strategic island after excellent diplomacy by the President Eamonn De Valera, extending the Irish territory without a shot being fired.   To mark the occasion a family fun evening with fireworks will take place, including pop up performances by the Cork Prison choir and a military band, face painters and children’s games.  To close the night a fireworks display will launch 1300 fireworks into the Cork harbour sky, one for every convict who died on the island in its 3 incarnation as a prison, in the 1800’s, 1921 and from 1985 to 2004.   The Victorian era prison in a particular was a harsh regime and at its height one inmate a day died on the island. 

The Cork County Council site celebrated the 80th anniversary of the handover last year with a military ceremony and fly past by the Irish air corp.  In the 81 years since the handover the island has been used an Irish Army and Navy base, a prison from 1985 to 2004, and a visitor attraction which opened in 2016.

Tickets to the event are now sold out but visitors can still book day trips to the island attraction, which secured a second larger ferry from the south of France that is now operating the route from Cobh.  The 126 seater vessel compliments the existing 80 seater to allow visitors greater ease of access and visit length.  New additions on the island this year are also set to attract increased numbers, with new ‘Ring of Spike’ walking trails, a new ‘Independence’ exhibition detailing the 1400 men held on the island in 1921, and new child friendly experiences. 

Island manager John Crotty said the island is excited to welcome visitors for the islands celebratory evening and to see the new additions to the island offering.  “This year marks the end of a 2 year journey to add the second ferry, new walking trails, a brand new ‘Independence’ exhibition and easier access from Cobh with a new pontoon and ticket office.  We are looking forward to welcoming to welcoming new visitors and to showcasing the upgrades to returning visitors and allowing them stay as long as they like.  “Events like Saturday also allow us to celebrate our past and share our history with local and foreign visitors alike”.

Boats to the island depart daily from Kennedy pier, Cobh.

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