Background
Spike Island has a unique and specific history compared to the rest of Ireland.
It has had a British Military presence from 1779 to 1938 – a one hundred- and fifty-nine-year span that has had to have a major influence on its residents and that of Cork Harbour over that period. From 1847 to 1883 it became a famine era prison but still had a garrison presence on the island during that time.
Even though Spike Island was a military establishment the resident children had a great freedom on the island and were able to play and wander anywhere they wanted. Spike was their world, and they were very much insulated from the outside – if they did travel it may be one day a week for a couple of hours to Cork city. Up on the War Department launches and back again a couple of hours later. Most children who were brought up on Spike Island never forgot their idyllic life there for the rest of their lives. Many who had to leave Spike and move to Cobh and elsewhere found it all very unsettling.
A terrible period happened for children when they put a prison there in 1847. Whence before and after the prison these children had the freedom of the island, now it became an island of incarceration, cruelty and devastation.
The exhibition tells some of these stories. Although all the stories are based on historical facts – like a good Hollywood movie certain embellishment and artistic license has been taken.
About the Photographer
Fionnghuala Smith has been a volunteer on Spike Island for 3 years and is extensively researching the military and social history period 1883 to 1938. This research has uncovered some fascinating and intriguing stories and history – some of which are re-enacted in this photography exhibition.
Fionnghuala’s Grandfather, Daniel Cusack, worked as a civilian boatman with the War Department Fleet and lived on Spike Island. His daughter, Breda (Fionnghuala’s mother) was born on Spike in 1929 and the family lived there until 1942. Breda wrote a few childhood memories and three of these stories have also been re-enacted in the exhibition.
Prior to Fionnghuala’s voluntary work she ran an Old Time Photography Studio – Cobh Pastimes in Cobh, Co. Cork. This was the only old-time photography studio in Ireland – a concept that is a thriving business in America and Canada. This entailed dressing up customers in various historically themed costumes and photographing them on sets and themed backdrops.
This project is supported by Cork County Council’s Commemorations Committee
Author: In Cobh
Owner