Work to start on €5m Spike Island centre

Work is set to start next month on a €5m tourist project on Spike Island, the first phase of a development which will later include refurbishing the former jail as an interpretive centre.

Cork County Council yesterday awarded the contract for the works to Cumnor Construction Ltd, and the project is due for completion next June.

The council took the island over from the Department of Justice in the last few years and intends to turn it into a major tourist attraction. The former prison will be re-roofed and the interior refurbished and it will later house an interpretive centre, costing a further €1m, which will focus on the island’s history. It’s hoped the contract for building that will be awarded in November.

The interpretive centre will highlight the island’s time as a monastic settlement, penal colony, military installation, and prison.

The €5m contract also includes refurbishing and lighting the island’s pier and providing a shelter on it.

County engineer David Keane said the military magazine storage areas would also be refurbished and a military exhibition centre constructed on the site which will feature coastal batteries (artillery).

The bastions on Fort Mitchell will be opened as viewing points for tourists, who will also be able to access old battery positions.

Landscaping will also be undertaken in the former parade ground, the cafe will be enlarged and the island’s waste water treatment facilities will also be upgraded.

Work will start on August 17 and the island will remain open to tourists.

This is the first phase of a €40m masterplan for the island tobe constructed in the coming years and includes a large aquarium.

The council is now developing the 104-acre island as a vehicle for retelling the story of 1,400 years of history and the Irish diaspora. A 100% council-owned company, Spike Island Development Company was established to oversee the entire project.

Assistant county manager Declan Daly and county engineer David Keane have been appointed directors to implement the construction phase and oversee the day-to-day operation of Spike Island Interpretative Centre.

Fáilte Ireland has provided €2.5 m for the upcoming development.