Call to turn island prison into famine memorial

An expert on Ireland’s version of Alcatraz today called for the former off-shore prison to be transformed into a national famine memorial.

Historian Michael Martin also demanded the Irish and UK Governments pardon the hundreds jailed in Spike Island, Co Cork, during the famine for stealing food.

The State is to hand over the historic landmark off the south-west coast to Cork County Council to turn it into a tourist attraction.

Mr Martin, author of a book documenting the history of the famous island as far back as the 7th century, said the move represented a unique opportunity to preserve an iconic piece of Irish heritage.

“What I’d like to see on the island is a national famine memorial,” he said.

“Although the effects of the famine were widespread throughout Ireland, in many instances they were localised and there’s local monuments everywhere,” Mr Martin said.

“What I’m going to do is call upon the Minister for Justice and his opposite number in the UK to grant a posthumous pardon to those that were incarcerated during the great famine for stealing food.”

Mr Martin, author of 'Spike Island: Saints, Felons and Famine', said up to 2,500 people were in the prison at the height of the famine in the mid 19th century, with almost two-thirds jailed for stealing food out of desperation.

The island, near Cobh, has been in the hands of the Department of Justice since 1985.

It was first used as a prison in the 17th century following the end of the Cromwellian wars when it was used to hold inmates to be transported to the West Indies.

During the 18th and 19th centuries it was used by the British to transport prisoners to the colonies.

Over time the prison population dropped to about 500 and it was passed into the hands of then Taoiseach Eamon De Valera in 1938 when the last British troops left the island.

It was closed in January 2004 and two years later then Justice Minister Michael McDowell announced plans to build a new prison on the site.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin said the Government would fully co-operate with the County Council.

“I believe that it is important to unlock any tourism potential of the Island to the immediate benefit of the Cork and Munster region generally and I would like to thank all those involved in Cork County Council for their willingness to actively explore the tourism potential of the Island,” he said.

Cork County Council said talks had been going on for the last 12 months to secure the deal.

Derry Canty, County mayor said: “This is a significant milestone in the unlocking of the potential of Spike Island and Cork Harbour for the future.”