The time spent on the island will be between 75 and 90 minutes and the boat journey will be dependent on tidal conditions taking anything from 10 minutes over and back at high tide to 25 minutes each way at low tide. Extreme care should be taken when embarking and disembarking at the piers in Cobh and Spike Island.
Visitors should note the following. Due to conditions on the island such as derelict buildings, heavy vegetation and dangerous uneven road surfaces not all of the island is accessible and the tour is very much a guided tour. Current Health and safety requirements mean that visitors must stay in the company of the guide at all times. Children have to be very strictly supervised by their parents. There is no possibility at this time for individual exploration of the Island. The various hazards and control issues will be explained to all visitors. It should also be noted that for the first 40 minutes of the tour there are no toilet facilities until entry to the fort.
Decent footwear is essential and remember there are, as yet, no shops, restaurants of relaxation areas. The roadway from the pier up to the fortress is a moderate incline and some may find the climb challenging.
Despite the various issues of safety the tour explores the fascinating history of the island and visits locations and places that reflect its diverse use. We sincerely hope that the Spike Island Guided Tour will be exciting, interesting and provide a fabulous afternoon in Cork harbour and one of Ireland's most interesting Islands.
For June, July and August, 2011, boats will leave from Kennedy Pier in Cobh daily at 2 p.m. (subject to weather conditions and numbers) and tickets will be sold at the Ticket Booth there. The 2 p.m. guided walking tours of the island are run by Michael Martin and rank #2 of 64 attractions in Cork on Trip Advisor. Visit here
For Group inquiries with Michael, call +353 87 276 7218 or +353 21 4811485
The Cobh Heritage Centre will commence to run tours to the island from the 25th June on Saturdays and Sundays, departing at 12 noon from Kennedy pier. Tel 021 4813591
