Spike Island launches new history exhibition

Spike Island has officially launched its newest exhibition ‘Entwined History: Revealing Spike Island’s Forts’ commemorating the 220th anniversary of Fort Westmoreland’s foundation.

The exhibition will run from July and showcases the architectural plans and historical artefacts associated with the island’s rich military past.

Each year, Spike Island’s annual exhibition reflects on the island’s rich history, heritage, and people and this year’s exhibition showcases the island’s significance and strategic location within Cork Harbour.

Constructed in response to increasing threats during the late 18th century, Fort Westmoreland — now Fort Mitchel — was a formidable structure armed with 60 guns and designed to defend Cork Harbour.

Despite its initial strategic importance, the fort’s construction was halted after Napoleon’s defeat in 1815, leaving many structures unfinished until The Great Famine when Spike Island became a convict depot for prisoners awaiting transportation.

Spike Island’s museum curator Dorota Gubbins reflected on the significance of the exhibition ahead of its launch.

“We are thrilled to present ‘Entwined History,’ which marks the 220th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone for Fort Westmoreland, now known as Fort Mitchel,” she said.

“This exhibition not only highlights Spike Island’s strategic importance within Cork Harbour, shaped by pivotal events such as the American Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars but also showcases invaluable architectural plans, photographs and rare artefacts offering rich insights into the island’s storied past.

“We are deeply grateful for the generous contributions from families and supporters, which help us bring this history to life for our visitors.”

The exhibition features original architectural plans from the British National Archives showcasing the design and construction of the fort and the only known photograph of convicts working on the bastions of the fort in the mid to late 1800s.

In addition, the exhibition also features a collection of rare artefacts, some of which have been donated or loaned to Spike Island including a miniature King James Bible and a porcelain creamer from one of the Beach Cottages located along the shore of the island.

For Spike Island tickets see visit www.spikeislandcork.ie.