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The gates to Fort Mitchel on Spike Island: City County Council has finalised a €40m plan to turn the island into a tourist hotspot. Wikimedia Commons

Cork council publishes €40m ‘master plan’ for Spike Island tourism

‘Ireland’s Alcatraz’ would become a major tourist trap and national park under Cork County Council’s new plans.

IRELAND’S ANSWER to Alcatraz could become a major tourist trap and national park under a €40 million ‘master plan’ published by Cork County Council.

The council proposes to designate a 100-acre national park on Spike Island in Cork Harbour, with a complex of heritage and cultural attractions in Fort Mitchel in the centre of the island.

The island – a former monastery which became a prison in the 19th century – has been largely uninhabited since 2004, but has has begun attracting up to 200,000 tourists a year since the island was handed over to the council and publicly opened in 2010.

The council has now prepared a major plan with Scott Tallon Walker architects to “offer a variety of visitor experiences”, hoping to make the island a more popular year-round destination.

The three-phase plan would see the fort developed into a multimedia tourist attraction, a venue which could house concerts with up to 6,000 attendees, and a newly-built aquarium.

The development would see the island play host to re-enactments of military and penal scenes, and house a learning centre “dedicated to oceanography and the expansive marine resources of Ireland’s Continental Shelf”.

The council says the development of the island would promote the economic potential of the Cork Harbour area, and would see an increase in regular ferry traffic between Cork, the island and Haulbowline.

The plan is to be put to councillors at their monthly meeting next Monday night, when members will be asked to approve a multi-year investment plan for the works on the island.

The council has said it hopes to secure funding from Fáilte Island for the first phase of works, to focus on the island’s environment and history, which are earmarked to begin in 2013 if the plan is approved.

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    Mute Bri Lye
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    Wed 12:27 PM

    One of the very good ones…RIP

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    Mute James Casey
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    Wed 1:45 PM

    @Bri Lye: lots of good ones infairness. Rip

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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Wed 3:32 PM

    @Bri Lye: The world needs more people like him.

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    Mute Dominic Leleu
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    Wed 4:33 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: did more for people that all the dail combined. rip

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    Mute Dale Voinz
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    Wed 1:51 PM

    I used their services while homeless. Not only are they the best homeless service in the country, but they’re also the only one that doesn’t question why you need help nor even ask for donations. The food is also the best you can get.

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    Mute James Carolan
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    Wed 2:19 PM

    @Dale Voinz: Glad you no longer need their services

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    Mute James Casey
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    Wed 1:46 PM

    What a great person to feed so many poor if we had more it would be great. May he rest in peace

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    Mute FoxyBoiiYT
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    Wed 1:47 PM

    RIP, a great man. Talked the yalk and walked the walk.

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    Mute R kelly
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    Wed 2:08 PM

    A really genuine caring man… helped thousands without judgement….rest in peace

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    Mute Declan O'Brien
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    Wed 2:22 PM

    A beacon of light for those in the darkness of homelessness and poverty. May he rest in peace.

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    Mute nollaig o cellaigh
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    Wed 2:26 PM

    Can he be fast tracked into Sainthood?

    RIP Brother Kevin and thank you for all you did and helped over the years

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    Mute Matt D
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    Wed 2:44 PM

    Had the pleasure of meeting Brother Kevin several times over the years. I’m genuinely saddened to learn of his death. He was such a selfless man. Personally I fond it ironic all of our esteemed politicians falling over themselves to pay tribute to a man who dedicated his life to alleviate the suffering of people that they & their policies helped to cause in no short measure.

    Rest in Peace Brother Kevin

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    Mute thomas molloy
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    Wed 2:49 PM

    @Matt D: Dragging politics into it not necessarily.

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    Mute Sun Rise
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    Wed 3:29 PM

    @Matt D: Using his death as a political football is a shamelessly disrespectful act.

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    Mute The facts
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    Wed 3:32 PM

    @thomas molloy: it actually is.
    The likes of Harris speaking about him when he’s been part of the government that has drastically sent more and more people into poverty should absolutely be called out.

    I despise religion but if we had more human beings like him the world would be a far better place.

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    Mute RubaDub
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    Wed 3:44 PM

    @The facts: it’s actually not, and I think Brother Kevin would agree.not every article has to bring hate and vile into it. There’s a time and a place.

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    Mute Matt D
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    Wed 4:33 PM

    @Sun Rise: Having met the man several times in my life I can assure you I know he wouldn’t be bothered. I in no way disrespected Brother Kevins memory or his legacy & I stand over what I said.

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    Mute JP
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    Wed 2:51 PM

    In one’s own way imitate him.
    RIP Bro Kevin.

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    Mute Dog Tired
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    Wed 2:16 PM

    Lord rest him. A good man. A pity politians of all types don’t show even a sliver of Brother Crowleys humanity.

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    Mute Veronica Conway
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    Wed 2:07 PM

    RIP Brother Kevin

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    Mute Gerry Kelly
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    Wed 2:19 PM

    “In all things you do preach the gospel; and if necessary use words.” (St. Francis of Assisi)
    Brother Kevin lived that mantra for decades. I trust Dubliners will give this great Cork man a great send off at his funeral.
    We may never see his like again.

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    Mute Deano74
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    Wed 4:00 PM

    RIP brother Kevin,the true measure of a good person,someone who puts the needs of others before themselves.

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    Mute Brian Hunt
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    Wed 1:49 PM

    Requiescat in Pace

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    Mute JP Fox
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    Wed 2:22 PM

    RIP Brother Kevin.

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    Mute John Paul Long
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    Wed 3:59 PM

    Rest in heavenly peace. You deserve it after spending your life helping others

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    Mute Lance Taylor
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    Wed 2:15 PM

    A great man and a true saint. Rest in peace brother

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    Mute John McEvoy
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    Wed 5:25 PM

    I see the comments for the Census from 2022 is closed even though it was initially open. Why bother having a news page online if we’re not allowed to comment on the article?

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    Mute Áine G
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    Wed 5:30 PM

    A gentleman. Waiting for you in the fathers arms.

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    Mute Alex Marquis
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    Wed 6:15 PM

    Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilís.

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    Mute Colin Clarke
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    Wed 10:08 PM

    A beautiful person with a welcoming smile and a huge heart. May he rest in Peace

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    Mute Child of Drague -Dey\Dem
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    Wed 9:06 PM

    A great, humble giver. Never a taker. In fairness, that’s some example for the rest of us. RIP.

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    Mute M K
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    Wed 11:04 PM

    REST IN PEACE BROTHER KEVIN

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    Mute Razor Mulligan
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    Thu 12:03 AM

    Left a great legacy behind R I.P

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