Spike Island's monastic past, colourful criminals, cinema 'clips', and parole firsts

Once the world's largest prison, a comprehensive new history uncovers some of Spike Island's best-kept secrets

Spike Island's artillery gun park. The island has had a military presence for 206 years.

It was once home to 'Jack in the Box', described as the 19th century’s “craftiest criminal", was the first prison in the world to have a parole officer, and also had its own film censor.

Spike Island in Cork Harbour, which is now a popular tourist attraction, has a rich and varied history, stretching back thousands of years.