Spike Island Cork Cobh Ireland drone footage 2019 - Discover the Irish Alcatraz!

Описание: An aerial view of Spike Island Cork, the former monastery, fortress, prison and home that is now the best day out in southern Ireland.

The island held a monastery in the 7th century but it was in the late 1700's that the attention of the world turned to this little island. The British built a 24 acre Fortress to protect Cork harbour from attack from the Americans, French and Spanish.
The wars would end and the fort would next be used to hold prisoners during the Irish famine, and the prison grew to become the largest prison in the world, with over 2300 inmates! There has never been a larger prison in Britain or Ireland before or since. Come and hear the stories of prison escapes and punishment blocks.

The prison closed in 1883 and island was used a military base until it became a prison again in 1921 holding 1400 Irish war of independence prisoners. It would then remain a British fort until it was handed back to the Irish in 1938 in a ceremony attended by Eamonn De Valera.
The Irish army would use the fort and it was a prison again from 1985 to 2004, and it is now a leading visitor attraction.

Today you can walk abandoned prisons, sit in solitary cells, discover the forts high walls and long tunnels, see several museums and exhibitions, walk the scenic island walking trails and use the cafe and gift shop.

Will you escape from Fortress Spike Island.