No go for Spike Island concert plan

A music promoter who sought to host a concert on Spike Island had to scrap the idea because of access difficulties.

Council officials confirmed earlier this week that the possibility of hosting a spectacular concert on Spike with the stunning Cork Harbour backdrop was explored by one of the country’s concert promoters.

However, the promoter was unable to overcome problems with getting people on and off the island within a short period of time.

Last year there was only one licensed small ferry operating tours to the island.

A ferry licence for 2011 is expected to be issued next month, but again it will be for just one vessel, running from Cobh to Spike.

County architect Denis Deasy said: “The concert promoters couldn’t find a way to get enough people onto the island quickly. We still hope to host other events on the island.”

Mr Deasy confirmed that the council will ask consultants to draw up a masterplan for Spike to ensure the island is developed over the next 10-15 years.

A portion of the sales of tours to Spike in 2011 will be collected by the council and reinvested in the island.

County manager Martin Riordan said he hoped Fáilte Ireland would come on board with funding for Spike as a tourist product.

A small café facility and refurbished toilets will be available to visitors this summer.

Volunteers are currently cleaning up the island’s cemetery and Famine graveyard.

Article courtesy of the Evening Echo newspaper.