Islands of Ireland: Spanish Island sees invaders, plunder, betrayal, and revenge

Locals once imprisoned their guests, stole 100 tonnes of their wine and distributed it in the town — however, there were consequences...

Spanish Island. Baltimore Harbour, County Cork with the Beacon in the distance. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

The scale of runaway vegetation comprising mostly fern and furze on Spanish Island in Baltimore Harbour, West Cork, makes it an unappealing destination for a ramble. If, for example, it was wooded, or had a nice sandy beach it would have far more appeal. However, its geographical location in the harbour saw it as a major site for the historic events that played out around it for a few hundred years.

This is one of at least three Spanish islands in the country (there are others at Kilmakilloge Harbour in County Kerry and in Connemara) and there are many coastal references in our maps to locations with the word ‘Spain’ in them: Spanish Point in County Clare, for example.