Spike Island, or "Ireland’s Alcatraz", is a small coastal enclave off the coast of Cobh in Co Cork. But while most of us associate its colourful history as one of a battle-hardened prison, its story begins much earlier, centuries earlier in fact. Today on the Indo Daily, Ellen Coyne is joined by John Crotty, former general manager of Spike Island and author of the book Spike Island: The Rebels, Residents and Crafty Criminals of Ireland’s Historic Island, to discuss the island’s past and the potential histories yet to be unfurled Host: Ellen Coyne Guest: John Crotty *This podcast was first released in May, 2025.

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