tour of spike island

Visit Spike Island

Discover Captains and Convicts, Sinners and Saints at Ireland's infamous prison island

Discover Spike Island

Discover the tales of heroes and villains at Ireland’s infamous prison island. 

Prepare to be transported back in time as you navigate through centuries of Irish history. Located in the heart of Cork Harbour, Spike Island holds a significant place in Irish history, having served as a military fortress and a notorious prison.

Discover the stories of the captains and convicts, sinners and saints who once inhabited the island. Join a guided tour with one of our expert storytllers, explore interactive museums, exhibitions and immersive experiences.

Spike Island boasts breathtaking natural scenery, providing a stunning backdrop to your visit – embark on our scenic walking trails around the island taking in unparalleled view of Cork Harbour.

What Our Visitors Say About Us

Bernard & helena mccarthy.

Went over to Spike Island during the summer. What a great day out, very interesting place, great walks and a big field if you wanted too chill out or if the kids want to play. It has a shop so you can get food and drinks. You could make a whole day out of it, there was more added to it during the year so cannot wait to go over again this summer, would highly recommend it.

We had the pleasure & experience of visiting Spike Island on a day trip the journey from Cobh harbour was by ferry, the crew were great giving information & answering questions. Our tour guide was brilliant, an ex navy man himself, spent time with all. He really got across the history of Spike and we will definitely go again.

Great Tour of the Island. My Family and I visited Spike Island (February) and we all found it very interesting. The trip on the ferry accross was great and it was a dry day. We found it very interesting and for history lovers it is a great place to go. The views of Cobh from the Island are magnificent.

I went to Spike Island recently and found it totally amazing with the history and the heritage of the island. It's a great place to visit and the tour is great. If in Cork then it should be high on your list of places to go. Highly recommended.

Very impressive! It was our second time here and well worth the trip. Lots of interesting information presented with a touch of Irish humour. We'd strongly advise everyone to go there, it's a great day out! You can take the island in at your own pace or join a guided tour. It's a brilliant opportunity to see all of Cork harbour.

Kenny & Lisa

Both for history and nature enthusiasts. Be sure to catch the free guided tour that is included in your ticket. Our guide was very skilled and made the history come alive through stories he told.Also take the time to explore the island and enjoy the view of Cobh from a different perspective. Take a walk around and take in the beauty of the nature and the island as a whole!

Brussels, Belgium

Amazing, a hidden gem! Must-see. Myself and my husband visited Spike Island today and although we both live in Cork we had never been. It was absolutely brilliant and would highly recommend. Our guide was excellent, so knowledgeable and funny! Time flies so we will definitely be back and will also do the After Dark tour too. I would never get sick of visiting and feel it is the kind of place you could visit over and over and still see and learn new things.

Spike Island is well worth a visit. The scenery is beautiful, even for a walk, it is worthwhile to go and see. The tour guide was excellent too and we enjoyed it all. You could easily spend a few hours here, a great way to spend a day and very affordable too. It is advisable to book the ferry beforehand, it is a popular spot.

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Keep up to date

Visiting Spike Island: The Isolated Irish Prison Known As ‘Ireland’s Alcatraz’

By Author Keith O'Hara

Posted on Last updated: December 31, 2023

A visit to Spike Island prison is arguably one of the most unique things to do in Cork .

And it’s easily one of the most popular things to do in Cobh (it’s up there with the  very  popular Titanic Experience).

If you’re not familiar with the story of Spike Island prison and if you’re visiting Cobh in 2024, you’re in for a treat-and-a-half.

In the guide below, you’ll find the history of Spike Island, info on the tour and where to visit nearby. Dive on in!

Table of Contents

Some quick need-to-knows about Spike Island in Cork

Photo by dleeming69 (shutterstock)

So, a visit to Spike Island prison is fairly straightforward – you need to grab a ticket and hop onto a little ferry that leaves from Cobh .

However, there are a handful of things worth knowing before you plan your visit (booking in advance is needed!).

1. Location

A short ferry ride from the gorgeous little fishing village of Cobh in County Cork lies a 103-acre island that has been used as a place of worship, defense, confinement and punishment.

2. Getting there

To get to Spike Island in Cork you’ll need to get a ferry from Kennedy Pier in Cobh. The ferry takes around 15 minutes each way and leaves several times each day.

There are several different ticket types for the Spike Island tours (more on the various tours below). Price wise, you’re looking at (note: prices may change):

• Adult: €26.95
• Child (12 or under): €13.95
• Family (2 Adults and 1 or 2 kids): €65.95
• Senior Citizen (65+): €21.95
• Student: €21.95

4. How long the Spike Island tours take

When you buy a ticket for one of the Spike Island tours, your journey over on the ferry is included. Your return ticket is for 3.5 hours later, so you should allow at least 4.5 hours for a visit.

About Spike Island prison

A short ferry ride from the gorgeous little fishing village of Cobh in County Cork lies a 103-acre island that has been used as a place of worship, defence, confinement and punishment.

Spike Island prison was originally the site of a monastic settlement, but for over 200 years it has been dominated by the star fort named ‘Fort Mitchel’.

In the last 1300 years, Spike Island has been host to a 6th-century Monastery, a 24-acre fortress, the largest convict depot in the world in Victorian times and centuries of island dwellings.

The island’s vast and varied history has included monks and monasteries, rioters and redcoats, captains and convicts and sinners and saints.

At one point, the island was used to house convicts prior to penal transportation, and this is where the nickname of ‘Ireland’s Alcatraz’ came from.

Spike Island history: The story behind Ireland’s Alcatraz

Via Spike Island on Facebook

One of the reason the Spike Island tours are so popular is thanks to Spike Island’s history… it’s  very  dark history.

According to reports, when Spike Island prison was the world’s largest prison in the 1850s, the treatment of convicts was nothing short of horrific.

The ‘Punishment Block’

A ‘Punishment Block’ was the only purpose-built cell block in the Fort, and it was built in response to the murder of Warder William Reddy in 1856.

It was made up of 28 solitary confinement cells and housed the most dangerous prisoners on the island.

Each prisoner was heavily chained and clothed in black from head to toe, with a veil hiding all but their eyes. In the blocks early years, the cells were furnished with only a stool, and prisoners slept on the floor.

Mass graves

There were several suicide attempts and the Punishment Block was the main reason that Spike Island was described as “Hell on earth” by many.

Mass graves, which litter the island, are the result of foul conditions and overcrowding during the worst of Ireland’s famine years.

Spike Island tours

There are 2 different Spike Island tours that you can head off on: the Regular Tour and the After Dark Tour.

The Regular Tour should suit those of you that are on a day-trip to Cobh while the After Dark Tour is a different kettle of fish altogether.

The Regular Tour

The first of the 2 Spike Island tours is the Regular Tour . Included in your ticket is a guided tour from where the ferry lets you off to the Fortress.

The guided tour lasts around 45 minutes and during this time a skilled storyteller will take you on a journey through Spike Islands history.

When the tour ends, you can explore the forts and the prison on your own.

The After Dark Tour

Those that embark upon the after-dark tour on Spike Island will be told the stories of several murders that took place on the island.

One of these murders was of nationalist Patrick White, who was killed during a spiteful act of revenge.

Another story tells of the brutal murder of a prison warder in the 1800s. This horrific killing was carried out by some of the many dangerous inhabitants that were imprisoned on Spike.

The tour also takes visitors along the mysterious underground tunnels and cells that are inaccessible during the day time tours.

Things to do near Spike Island

One of the beauties of Spike Island prison is that it’s a short spin away from a clatter of other attractions, both man-made and natural.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Spike Island in Cork (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).

1. Food in Cobh

Photo left: The Commodore Hotel. Photo right: Harbour Browns Steakhouse (Facebook)

When you arrive back from Spike, the chances are you’ll have worked up an appetite. Thankfully, there are some excellent restaurants in Cobh a short ramble aways from where you’re dropped off (there are also plenty of Cobh hotels if you want to spend the night).

2. Attractions within walking distance of the pier

Photo by Peter OToole (shutterstock)

There’s plenty of other things to do in Cobh when you finish up at Spike. One of the most popular attractions in the area is the Titanic Experience Cobh , but there’s also St. Coleman’s Catheral , the Deck of Cards and much more.

3. Fota Wildlife Park

Photos via Fota Wildlife Park on Facebook

The brilliant Fota Wildlife Park is a stone’s throw from Cobh town centre (you’ll need to drive) and it’s a great spot if you’re after more unique Cork attractions .

FAQs about visiting Spike Island in Cork

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from the Spike Island tours to what to expect from a visit.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

How do you get to Spike Island?

You get to Spike Island via a ferry from Kennedy pier in the centre of Cobh. The ferry takes around 15 minutes each way and leaves several times each day.

Is Spike Island really worth visiting?

Yes! Spike Island in Cork is a fantastic little spot to escape to when visiting Cork. The history is dark and interesting and the reviews for the Spike Island tours are excellent.

Is there much to do nearby?

Yep! You’ve plenty to see in Cobh itself or you’re a short spin away from the likes of Fota and Cork City.

Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries . Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.

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Myles Fitzmaurice

Friday 17th of June 2022

Looking forward to visiting Spike Island in early July, what is the best time to visit.

Sunday 8th of March 2020

Interesting, this dark part in the history of Ireland. No one has ever mentioned this before. Sort of scared the day lights out of me. But would certainly like to visit it the next time around when I get to Ireland.

Hop Over to Spike Island

The island brims with stories of the incredible history of its former occupants from monks and farmers to rioters and murderers.

Founded as a monastic settlement, the fate of Spike Island went very dark indeed. First, as a fortress built to defend the British Empire, then as the gruesome prison whose very name chilled the blood of convicts across the world.

A fifteen-minute ferry ride from Cobh, Spike Island has some fascinating tales to tell. The tour takes 3.5 hours in total including a 45-minute island induction from the trained storytellers and plenty of free time to explore at your own pace, so give yourself at least four hours for this gem. There are two tours available. The family-friendly daytime tours allow you to explore what was once the world’s largest prison, view the tiny cottages that have arguably some of the most beautiful views in Ireland and learn about the fascinating military and penal history of the island.

The not-at-all-child-friendly After Dark Tour shines some light on the harrowing history of the island, including the ghastly murders, mass graves and why its infamous punishment block was referred to as “hell on earth” by all who knew of it.

Tours leave from Kennedy Pier in Cobh a few times a day and the ticket price includes the ferry crossing. The island has a cafe, toilets, and buggy-friendly routes. We highly recommend booking your tickets in advance as they sell out regularly. For more information and to book tickets, visit The Spike Island website .

“A visit to Spike Island prison is arguably one of the most unique things to do in Cork… Spike Island in Cork is a fantastic little spot to escape to when visiting Cork. The history is dark and interesting and the reviews for the Spike Island tours are excellent.” – The Irish Roadtrip

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Spike Island Tours

A trip to Spike Island Cork is a trip through 1300 years of Irish history —as well as a chance to experience beautiful nature and wildlife in a wild Irish setting. Departing from the historic and scenic seaside town of Cobh, your ticket includes:

• The 12-minute return ferry journey across Cork harbour, one of the world’s largest natural harbours.
• A guided tour on arrival with one of our storytellers.
• Self-guided time after your tour to enjoy full access to our fortress and prison—home to over a dozen museums, exhibitions and authentic centuries-old buildings, which showcase our rich past as a monastery, fortress, prison, and island home. See centuries-old prison cells, military emplacement and modern museum spaces, with lots for all ages to enjoy.
• Full access to our nature and walking trails—discover the 1.4 km glacis walk with stunning harbour views, or the 2.4 km ring of Spike, which is fully signposted and interpreted as it passes abandoned places like a village or convict cemetery.
• A free map to explore our island’s waking trails and many interesting areas inside the fort.
• A free map for children, to keep little ones busy as they explore the island.

Ticket options

• Adult (incl Ferry and Tour) Adult (incl Ferry and Tour) €26.95 + €1.00 booking fee 0 78 max
• Child (incl Ferry and Tour)(12 or under) Child (incl Ferry and Tour)(12 or under) €13.95 + €0.50 booking fee 0 78 max
• Family (incl Ferry and Tour) (2 Adults, 1-2 Kids 12 or under) Family (incl Ferry and Tour) (2 Adults, 1-2 Kids 12 or under) €65.95 + €1.95 booking fee 0 19 max
• Family (incl Ferry and Tour) (2 Adults, 3 Kids 12 or under) Family (incl Ferry and Tour) (2 Adults, 3 Kids 12 or under) €78.95 + €1.95 booking fee 0 15 max
• Student 18 years +(incl Ferry and Tour) ID REQUIRED Student 18 years +(incl Ferry and Tour) ID REQUIRED €21.95 + €1.00 booking fee 0 78 max
• Senior Citizen (65 & over)(incl Ferry and Tour) Senior Citizen (65 & over)(incl Ferry and Tour) €21.95 + €1.00 booking fee 0 78 max
• 2nd level Student (13 to 17 yrs) accompanied by an adult 18+ 2nd level Student (13 to 17 yrs) accompanied by an adult 18+ €16.95 + €0.75 booking fee 0 78 max
• Child Under 2 (incl Ferry and Tour) Child Under 2 (incl Ferry and Tour) €4.95 + €0.50 booking fee 0 78 max
• Regular Group Admission (Minimum 15+)) Regular Group Admission (Minimum 15+)) €23.95 0 78 max
• Senior Group Admission (Minimum 15+) Senior Group Admission (Minimum 15+) €19.95 0 78 max
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Spike Island

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SPIKE ISLAND: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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• (1.83 km) The Quays Bar and Restaurant
• (1.84 km) Titanic Bar and Grill
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Discover the historic Spike Island

Ireland's answer to Alcatraz – this unique island in Cobh, County Cork, has been a monastery, fortress and prison down through the centuries

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The wind is in your hair, the sea breeze is on your face, and you're gliding from pretty Cobh  across the glistening waters of Cork harbour to your destination: the legendary Spike Island!

Today, it may be a top attraction to visit in County Cork, but this one-off island has taken on many roles over the years. Its past is often dark but always intriguing. History buffs, nature lovers, and anyone who loves a good yarn, well told, are in for a treat.

So let's set sail, there are over 1,000 years of Irish history to explore...

Spike Island, Cobh, County Cork

An island steeped in history

The history of Spike Island began over 1,300 years ago, when St Mochuda founded an early Christian monastery at the site. Despite the island being ravaged by Vikings in the 9th century, there are reports of a monastic settlement lasting here until the 16th century. Today, visitors can follow in the footsteps of the monks by embarking on their daily pilgrimage on the outer island walking trail.

Spike Island first became an island prison during the mid 1600s, when thousands of prisoners were kept here during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. This identity stuck, and the island would again become a prison during the Great Famine in 1847. In fact, at this time it was the largest known prison in the world! One can explore the chilling Punishment Block and "dark cells" from this troubled time.

Even in modern times, Spike Island remained a prison, only closing its prison gates for the last time in 2004. Tours take you around modern prison cells , as well as the dubiously named "Shivs and Shanks" exhibition!

The iconic star-shaped Fort Mitchel that still stands strong to this day was built by the British army in the early 1800s. It's so big, you could fit the whole of Alcatraz Island inside it! Visitors can get up close and personal with the towering entrance walls, huge parade ground, as well as many buildings and tunnels. There's even a military Gun Park featuring tanks, cannons and artillery guns. A must for any military enthusiasts.

Beyond the island

As you can see, Spike Island makes for a great day trip in County Cork. But what else can you enjoy in the area?

In colourful Cobh, don't miss the Titanic Experience Cobh , which tells the story of the Titanic's last port of call before its ill-fated voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.

St Colman's Cathedral dominates the skyline of this harbour town, and it's well worth a visit. It's the tallest church in Ireland with a grand interior that will take your breath away.

Further afield in County Cork, the world-famous Blarney Castle  (home to the Blarney Stone) is an unmissable highlight. As is the 18th century English Market in Cork city , a cornucopia of Irish culinary delights. Or you could venture into the natural beauty and wild charms of West Cork .

Need to know: Spike Island

Spike Island is reached by ferry from Kennedy pier in Cobh. The scenic journey across Cork harbour only takes 10-15 minutes.

Spike Island is open year round to visitors but the exact schedule varies by season. Typically, it's open daily during the summer and the rest of the year it's open weekends and school holidays.

Ticket prices vary but there are options available for adults, children, families, senior citizens, teenagers, babies and groups.

There are numerous tours you can choose from, including regular, after dark, behind the scenes, and eco-friendly options! You can also opt for a guided or a self-guided experience.

There are two gift shops on site, both selling unique Spike Island souvenirs. And there's also a cosy café that dishes out hot food and tasty treats!

County Cork highlights

Don't miss these things to see and do

English Market

Titanic Experience Cobh

Blarney Castle and Gardens

Fota Wildlife Park

Cobh Museum

Cobh Golf Club

Cork EcoTours

Cork Fab Food Trail

Ballymaloe Cookery School

Franciscan Well Brewery and Brew Pub

Accommodation

Clayton Hotel Cork City

Hayfield Manor Hotel

The English Market is an indoor food market, located in Cork City centre, offering a Victorian wonderland of exotic imported goods and delicious local produce.

Visit medieval Blarney Castle in County Cork, one of Ireland’s most impressive castles. Kiss the famous Blarney Stone to get the gift of the gab, wander around unique rock formations and see the rare plants in the enchanting gardens.

Fota Wildlife Park is part of the Zoological Society of Ireland, and is set on 100 acres on the scenic Fota Island in the heart of Cork Harbour and is only 10KM from Cork City by rail or car.

The Clayton Hotel Cork City, is a four-star City Centre Hotel, superbly located overlooking the River Lee and City Hall. The award winning hotel has 201 bedrooms and is just a 5 minute stroll from shopping and entertainment.

A Tour of Spike Island – What to Expect When Visiting

I’d never even heard of Spike Island two years ago, which can probably be forgiven as it is a fairly recent tourist attraction. However, once I did hear about it, it quickly became clear that this little island was something special.

Spike Island or Fortress Spike Island has quickly become a must-do experience for tourists from near and far and is sometimes referred to as “Ireland’s Alcatraz”. In the few short years it has been open to the public, it has won a number of awards including Europe’s leading tourist attraction 2017 at the World Travel Awards.

Intrigued? I certainly was. You only have to read the Tripadvisor reviews to see that it’s not just good marketing. People are genuinely raving about this little island located in Cork Harbour. When the only negative comments on Tripadvisor are that people didn’t have enough time on the island, you know it’s got to be worth a visit.

Well, there was only one way to find out what all the fuss was about! So earlier this month I got organised and made the trip out to Spike Island along with José and my parents too. I didn’t fancy waiting till next year and regular tours stop for winter at the end of this month (group tours of 15+ can still be booked during winter months).

Update: it seems the season has been extended this year and weekend tours will be running into November. Keep an eye on the Fortress Spike Island Facebook page for the most up to date info.

Getting to Fortress Spike Island

Tours to Spike Island leave from Kennedy Pier in Cobh and let’s be honest, any excuse to go to Cobh is a good one! Having said that my dad wasn’t too impressed with the idea of heading to Cobh in October. He was assuming the weather would be brutal. Yet the beauty of the Irish weather is that you never know what you’re going to get, at any time of year! We got lucky and blue skies and sunshine greeted us on the morning of our trip.

Stunning views of Cobh as the ferry departs.

When I booked online, there had been just two tours available at 12pm or 2pm but depending on demand more trips may be available. No doubt the result of the fine weather and the cruise ship in port, a number of additional tours were added the day were were going. From our accommodation near the pier, we watched the queues grow from early morning.

Despite the additional tours, we still had a bit of a delay heading off when it transpired that our trip had been overbooked. Thankfully all was sorted without tears and those left behind got to follow us over to the island on a rib, leaving everyone on the ferry jealous that they weren’t last to board!

We took the scenic route to Spike Island, circling Haulbowline Island, a naval base and headquarters of the Irish Naval Service. I thought it was all part of the tour but once we arrived on Spike Island we were informed that it depends on the tide. Due the fact there is a sandbar in the harbour between Spike Island and Cobh, it isn’t always possible to go directly across, in which case you must go around Haulbowline!

On the Island

On reaching Spike Island, we were met at the pier and given a quick briefing. It’s a quick 10-15 mins trip to get there so once on the island, you should have over 3 hours before the return trip. You have the option of doing your own thing and self-guiding for the entire time or taking a tour (lasting between 60-75 mins) first and then exploring on your own.

We chose to do the guided tour and we were very glad we did. Our guide John G (John is still a very popular name in Ireland, so the initial is required!) was really fun, informative and most importantly loud and clear, which meant my hard of hearing dad (also John!) was able to enjoy the tour too. 

View across the harbour back to Cobh as we walked up to the Fort.

We started the tour with a short uphill climb (transport is available, if needed) towards the 18th century star-shaped Fort Mitchel, stopping along the way to hear some of the history of the island and to catch our breath. The hills are actually man-made and while you might not appreciate that while you’re climbing, they were an important part of the defensive structure of the island and at least offer stunning views back towards Cobh now!

History of Spike Island

The island has a long and fascinating history. From 6th century Monastery to convict depot, to Fortress, to prison. You name it, Spike Island has seen it! As you can imagine there are many stories and many characters to learn about throughout your visit.

Due to it’s important strategic location, there has been a military presence on Spike Island for over two centuries. There have been three forts on the island and the third fort, which remains today, was built between 1804 and the 1860s. Originally called Fort Westmoreland, it is now named Fort Mitchel after John Mitchel, a nationalist hero who was imprisoned on Spike Island in the 1840s.

In 1847 Spike Island became a convict depot, with prisoners held here before being transported to Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) or Bermuda. By the early 1850s there were over 2,300 prisoners on Spike Island. This made it the largest convict prison in Britain and Ireland. Conditions were appalling with prisoners crammed into rooms and treatment was brutal. It was so bad that letters were sent from the colonies asking the guards to ease up. The men were arriving so broken in mind and spirit after Spike Island, that they were of little use when they got there.    

Most recently the island was used as a prison for young offenders between 1985 and 2004. My parents remembered it featuring on the news because of a riot in 1985, which resulted in international coverage. Details of the riot and old footage can be seen as you explore the buildings and the A Block, a large dormitory building which was burned down during the riot remains a ruin to this day. 

An old newspaper article and information panel about the 1985 riot on display.

What remains of the A Block after the 1985 riot.

Following the riot a number of the inmates (mainly imprisoned for joyriding, there were no serious offenders on the island) climbed onto the roof of one of the buildings and refused to come down. Our guide told us that the mother of one of the inmates got word of what was going and and made her way to Spike Island from Cork. She got hold of a megaphone and after 24hrs of protesting, it took her just a couple of minutes of yelling to get her son down. Once he did, the rest of the inmates followed not long after. Never underestimate the wrath of an Irish mammy! 

So much to see, so little time!

On the tour we got access inside Bastion 2 to see the 6 inch gun, which is now inside having been moved from it’s original exposed position on Bastion 3. It was the main coast defence gun on Spike Island but was never fired at an enemy. However, it was fired for testing and resulted in shattered windows on the mainland. The fact that nobody had been informed it would be happening, didn’t help matters either. Oops!

The 6″ Gun in No. 2 Bastion.

Another benefit of the tour is that the guide points out what you can see in each area, so you can decide what you really want to do after the tour.  Among other things you can visit the purpose built Punishment Block, the Artillery Gun Park, the Children’s Prison and the 1985 cells which were built after the riot. We headed off to see as much as we could!

The 1985 Cells.

We also took time to enjoy the magnificent panoramic views out to the mouth of the harbour from Bastion 3 and back towards Cobh from Bastion 6. There are also a number of walking trails, including one which covers the entire perimeter of the fort but unfortunately we just didn’t have time for it all. We didn’t stop for lunch either as we figured we could just eat back in Cobh but there is a large café on Spike Island with plenty of seating. There are snacks and pre-made sandwiches and wraps available, so you can grab something quickly if you’re hungry but want to keep going.

A cruise ship leaving the harbour.

The walkway around the perimeter of Fort Mitchel.

It really isn’t possible to experience everything on the island in just a few hour but in the future there might be the option to spend longer there. You may even be able to stay overnight eventually! Until then you can always go back for an after dark tour or the Spike Island Cinema Club. Scary movie, anyone?

This tiny island has played such a huge part in Irish history and visiting is definitely a fascinating experience. I guess it’s not a bad thing to leave people wanting more and trust me, a visit to Spike Island will definitely do that.

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Further Reading...

Valentia Island – Stunning Views on the Bray Head Loop Walk

Visit Dursey Island on Ireland’s only cable car

Gougane Barra – more than just a walk in the park

Caroline Littleboy

Thanks so much for sharing this! My Mammy was born on Spike and met and married my Dad who was stationed there. I lived there on there until we moved to the main land Cobh. Love seeing pictures that bring so many memories.

Thanks for your lovely comment Caroline and I’m glad the pictures took you back. What an amazing place to have lived. Cobh too. So much history. I’ll be adding a post on Cobh soon so keep an eye out! Thanks, Kerry.

peppermintdolly

Wow I didn’t know this place existed at all – I went to Alcatraz when I visited my Sister in San Francisco – but I didn’t know we had our very own version so close to home, must check it out the next time I’m down that way! Thanks for sharing!

Rebecca | http://www.peppermintdolly.com

Thanks Rebecca. You definitely should check it out if you get the chance. It’s a fascinating place and well worth a visit. It still amazes me how often I come across places I haven’t heard of in Ireland. There is so much to see and do in this little country!

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Malahide castle and gardens - why you should visit, exploring inis oírr - the smallest of the aran islands, @allaroundireland.

The History of Spike Island

Exceptional value.

Book shore excursions with confidence! We offer competitive pricing, friendly service and unmatched destination expertise.

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Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Dress accordingly for the ferry ride and activities that are sure to send chills up your spine when you set off on a 3.5-hour adventure on Spike Island, a 104-acre complex commanding a strategic position within the mouth of Cork Harbor. Set off on a guided tour to discover the history of the island, which includes a 7th-century monastic settlement and 18th-century artillery fortifications. The rugged Spike Island shoreline served as a hiding place for smugglers, and in 1847, the island became a prison soon housing over 2,000 convicts. Today, it is a captivating and interactive museum with activities for all ages. Visit the 1850s punishment block with its spooky prison cells, Ireland's largest artillery gun park and several penal, military and social history museums. Return to Cobh via the ferry and explore town on your own before a walk back to the ship.

Special Notes:

Tour timeline may vary to avoid overcrowding, etc.

Depart Pier and travel on foot to boarding location of the boat

Boat ride to spike island, guided tour of spike island and free time, return journey by boat to cobh, arrive back at cobh and return independently to the pier.

• Spike Island, Cork

Spike Island, Cobh, Co. Cork is a 24-acre fortress built in a stunning harbor setting. In the world ranking of natural harbors, Cork Harbor is second only to Port Jackson in Sydney!

Spike Island has played an integral role within the fabric of Ireland’s rich cultural, social, political, religious and historic past over multiple centuries.  Scenically stunning, this is a vast, green island of 104 acres, with a vast history and story to match.

Spike Island Facts

• In today’s money, it would cost a billion Euro to build!
• Spike Island is 4 times larger than Alcatraz island and held 8 times as many prisoners!
• The largest ever prison in Ireland and Britain with 2300 inmates during the famine years.
• An island prison on 4 separate occasions, in the 1600’s, 1800’s, 1921 and 1985 to 2004.

Famous Visitors

• Queen Victoria sketched the island during a visit to Cobh in 1849 and a copy of the sketch is available to view on the island.
• Winston Churchill visited in 1911 as the then head of the Admiralty, inspecting this jewel in the British military.
• Irish President Eamon De Valera attended the island handover from Britain to Ireland in 1938.

Famous Residents

Learn the stories of the multiple residents who called Spike Island home over a 200-year period.  See and hear recorded interviews with former residents which bring island living to life, many of whom lived on the island as recently as the 1980’s.

The residents include “ Jack in the box ”, the famous Victorian thief -James Grey would hide in a especially rigged luggage trunk and post himself from Liverpool to Ireland, jumping out mid-journey to rob the other luggage on the train carriage, earning the nickname ‘Jack in the box’. His cleaver crimes baffled the train company for years as valuables went missing. Eventually, he was discovered by a housemate who spotted stolen goods. He served 4 years on Spike Island

Meet ‘ Little Nellie’ , the little Irish girl who might be Ireland’s next saint! Ellen Organ lived on the island in the early 1900’s, she displayed miraculous qualities by wanting to take Holy Communion at a young age. Hearing this story, the Pope lowered the age of Communion from age 12 to 7 for all Catholics. See Nellie’s house and a recreation of her room on Spike Island.

The Irish freedom fighters , who fought for Ireland, learn how freedom fighters from the 1600’s to 1921 were held here for their struggles. Hear the story of John Mitchel, the man who inspired the revolutionaries who freed island.

Discover the fate of the 1400 men held here in 1921, many simply lifted off the streets, for fighting a war of independence against an unbeatable Empire.

How to Get there -Spike Island is accessible to Visitors by taking a ferry (15 minutes) from Cobh, Co Cork.

In the company of a local Cork crew, the adventure begins from Kennedy Pier, amidst the multi-colored houses and shop fronts of the Victorian heritage town of Cobh.

From there, on a brief 15 minutes journey , the ferry weaves its way through work boats and ships on Cork harbor, surrounded by wildlife from seals to birds, as views of the island draw closer and closer.

Once on the island, visitors are treated to 360-degree views of silver-blue waters, open skies and rolling hills.

During an action-packed and immersive experience, visitors learn about this island’s varied past as a home, fortress and a prison at the heart of the second largest harbor in the world!

Learn about the diverse roles Spike Island has played as a 7th century monastic site, as a fortress during the periods of the Napoleonic and American revolutions and as a prison for master and petty criminals from Victorian times, until 2004.

Prepare to be intrigued by the true stories of real people who lived on this island for more than 200 years; from the navy, military, prison guards and their families, to the prisoners, whose thwarted lives are shared with both stark honesty and compassion.

Walk the beautiful outer Island nature trails. There are 80 acres outside the fortress of beautiful nature, grassland and walking trails. Choose from a 1.4km or 2.4 kms loop, each with information boards and incredible harbor views. Spot seals, birds, wildlife and abandoned villages as you explore.

Prices include ferry, guided tour, full island access and return ferry. Cafe and gift shop on site.

Tour Offerings:

Standard/General tour includes:

Transfer to/from Spike Island by Ferry including 1-hour optional guided visit with an experienced guide and extensive time to explore the island on a self-guided basis on the day of the visit.

Bespoke Private ‘behind the scenes’ tour with ‘Spike Island rum’ tasting. (Minimum of 4 People)

Back in the 1600’s Irish convicts were held on Spike Island before being sent to the Caribbean islands as punishment for their crimes.  The prison ships that carried them braved the pirate filled waters of the Caribbean Sea.  These Irish men and women missed the Irish whiskey they enjoyed back home but soon discovered a new favourite, the local Caribbean rum savoured by the local people.  400 years later the rum is going the other direction, sent back to Ireland to be hand spiced for several months in oak barrels.

The Spike Island Rum Tasting tour includes a premium private small number guided tour with an expert guide. Includes 1 hour 30-minute tour length plus self-explore time, 3.5 hours total; Access to areas off limits to the public and finish off with a taste of ‘Spike Island rum’, exclusive to the island.

A premium private guided tour with an expert guide to include; 1 hour guided tour experience with an expert guide. Finish off with a tasting of ‘Spike Island rum’, premium product with links to the former island convicts sent to Barbados.  Add another Irish drink like Irish whiskey or Bailey’s Irish cream on request and time to self-explore before exit.

After Dark Tour

Walk an abandoned prison, sit in a solitary cell.  Experience a place of Punishment, once called ‘Ireland’s hell’.  Hear the gruesome stories that cannot be shared on a day tour. See areas off limits to the public as visitors’ journey through 400 years of incarceration. Add a tasting of ‘Spike Island rum’ to this tour if you wish…….

Spike Island, a wonderful unique experience to add to your 2021 Emerald Isle tour….

Call us now to get working on your dream vacation………..

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Taylor Swift news diary: Pop diva and Travis Kelce's Bahamas vacation results in 351% spike in searches for island

W elcome to our daily Taylor Swift news diary, your go-to source for the latest updates and insights into the world of one of today's most influential and celebrated artists.

Delve into Taylor Swift's dynamic career, public appearances, and the buzz within the entertainment industry as we provide you with a bite-sized overview of the happenings in the life of this multi-talented and ever-evolving artist.

Taylor Swift loves Travis Kelce's 'dad bod' on romantic Bahamas getaway

Taylor Swift's fans, affectionately known as the Swifties, are rejoicing over the latest revelation about her relationship with Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. Despite criticism of Kelce's current physique, recent reports indicate that Swift is enamored with his 'dad bod.' Following the conclusion of Swift's Eras tour in Singapore, the couple escaped to the Bahamas for a romantic getaway. Photos of them strolling hand in hand on the beach have captured the hearts of Swift's fans, showcasing their affection for each other. Kelce, enjoying the NFL off-season, was seen shirtless on the beach, revealing a slight weight gain. Despite jests about his changing body, Swift reportedly adores his new look.

A source revealed to Daily Mail that Swift loves Kelce's current physique, seeing it as a well-deserved reward after his successful Super Bowl-winning season and a chance for him to relax during the off-season. Swift believes he will return to peak condition later in the year, but she finds him attractive regardless of his body shape. Swift's acceptance and admiration of Kelce's 'dad bod' highlight the strength and mutual respect in their relationship, drawing admiration and support from fans around the world.

READ MORE: ‘ They love each other': Swifties overjoyed as source reveals Taylor Swift in awe of Travis Kelce's ‘dad bod' during Bahamas getaway

Travis Kelce masters golf swing while dancing to Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood'

Travis Kelce, the Super Bowl champion, showcased his golf skills with a twist of Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood' playing in the background. In an Instagram Story shared by former NBA player Chandler Parsons, Kelce is seen confidently swinging his club while the catchy tune attempts to throw him off his game. Despite the distraction, Kelce's swing is a success, much to the surprise of his friends who tried to disrupt his focus.

"He did it," shouts another friend while Kelce watches the golf ball fly through the air. "Oh, he likes it. Oh, he likes it," jokes another friend. Kelce turns to the camera after the ball lands on the course, picks up his golf club like an air guitar, and starts singing Swift's lyrics. After that, he continues to dance for the camera, showing off a few more funky moves.

READ MORE: Travis Kelce Golfs with Friends While Blasting Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood'

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Bahamas getaway sparks surge in searches for the Caribbean Island

The luxurious vacation of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in the Bahamas has captured the attention of many, leading to a significant increase in online searches for the Caribbean island. Reports indicate a staggering 351% surge in searches for the Bahamas following the circulation of photos featuring the happy couple enjoying their time together. The buzz intensified on March 25 as news of their vacation destination spread across social media platforms. Online searches for the Bahamas multiplied by more than 15 times, particularly after images of Swift donning a yellow bikini and Kelce sporting blue trunks surfaced.

Swift's choice of swimwear also had a notable impact, with searches for yellow bikinis experiencing a remarkable surge of 770%. Additionally, searches related to Travis Kelce and their accommodation, the Rosalita House in Harbor Island, saw significant spikes of 650% and 1,556%, respectively. The interest extended beyond the Bahamas, with the nearby Bahamian island of Eleuthera witnessing an astonishing spike of 2,072%, nearly 450 times its usual search traffic.

READ MORE: Travis Kelce's luxury Bahamas getaway with Taylor Swift 'has sparked a huge 351% increase in searches for the Caribbean island.

Travis Kelce jests about his weight post vacation with Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce, known for his prowess on the football field, showcased his playful side on a recent episode of his podcast with brother Jason Kelce, 'New Heights.' During a banter-filled conversation with special guest Saquon Barkley, the topic of drinking contests arose, prompting Travis to humorously address his weight. In response to Barkley's question about who would win a drinking contest between the brothers, Jason answered: "I can definitely drink more volume, I don't even think that's a question." In response, Travis replied: "Whaaaaaat? You're already down to 260."

Jason revealed to the Chiefs tight end that he weighs 283 pounds. Travis laughed, "We're in the same weight class now. It's March! We're in the same weight class right now." The jest about his weight comes in the wake of Travis' recent romantic getaway with girlfriend Taylor Swift to the Bahamas.

READ MORE: Travis Kelce jokes about his weight after vacation with Taylor Swift

Henry Cavill expresses a dmiration for Taylor Swift

In a recent interview, actor Henry Cavill revealed his longstanding appreciation for Taylor Swift, joining the ranks of devoted Swifties. Cavill, known for his roles in blockbuster films like 'Man of Steel,' didn't hold back in expressing his admiration for the pop sensation, describing her as "magnificent". The Hollywood heartthrob's declaration of fandom came as he discussed his upcoming movie, 'The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,' with E! News. Cavill's revelation that he's been a fan of Swift for quite some time adds another layer of charm to his already charismatic persona.

Interestingly, Swift's name arose in the conversation as the interviewer pointed out the coincidental release date of Cavill's film and Swift's highly-anticipated studio album, 'The Tortured Poets Department'. Cavill acknowledged this coincidence, noting that it marked the second occasion where his work intersected with Swift's, referencing the debunked rumor about her involvement in the film 'Argylle'.

READ MORE: Henry Cavill Makes Bold Declaration About Taylor Swift

Stressed About Taxes? Blame the Ancient Egyptians

The civilization developed the world’s first known tax system around 3000 B.C.E.

Kate McMahon

From mummified pharaohs to the Great Pyramid of Giza, ancient Egyptian iconography dominates the modern world . But few realize that the Egyptians also left behind a more practical legacy: taxes and the principles of administrative government .

The world’s earliest known system of taxation emerged in Egypt at the dawn of civilization itself, around 3000 B.C.E., when the First Dynasty unified Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt. Ancient Mesopotamia soon followed suit . The practice persisted for millennia, continuing after the fall of ancient Egypt in the first century B.C.E. and into the present day. But while Egypt’s tax systems evolved and diversified over the course of the civilization’s existence, the basic concept remained the same: The state levied taxes to pay for its operations and maintain social order. After all, the Egyptians always had royal building projects and foreign wars to fund.

The legacy of ancient Egyptian administration and diverse systems of taxation, from income taxes to custom taxes, is highly visible in modern forms of government, says Toby Wilkinson , an Egyptologist at the University of Cambridge in England and the author of The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt .

“The fundamental basis of human society has not shifted in 5,000 years,” Wilkinson explains. “You can recognize a variety of techniques of government invented in ancient Egypt that haven’t changed [today].”

For most of its history, ancient Egypt levied taxes on goods, with officials collecting dues in the form of grain, textiles, labor, cattle and other commodities. The amount of taxes owed was often linked to agriculture, with a certain percentage of a field’s harvest earmarked for state-run granaries or administrative storage centers. Interestingly, taxes were adjusted for field productivity —a parallel to modern income tax brackets, with different categories established based on the amount of wealth incurred.

Generally, a field with a more successful harvest would be taxed at a higher percentage, says Juan Carlos Moreno García , a senior researcher at the French National Center for Scientific Research.

“Fields were taxed in different ways, and the rate was dependent on the individual field productivity and the fertility and quality of the soil,” says Moreno Garcia. “But the government was determining the base tax rate dependent on the height of the Nile.”

On Elephantine , an island in Upper Egypt, 19th-century archaeologists discovered a nilometer , a sprawling staircase used to measure the Nile’s flood levels. (Remnants of other nilometers can be found in the ancient city of Thmuis , on Rhoda Island and elsewhere in Egypt.) If the water rose above a marked line, it signaled flooded fields and a poor harvest; if it fell too low, that meant a drought and dying crops.

“Too much water was just as bad as too little water,” says Wilkinson. “Egypt was fundamentally an agricultural economy, and it depended entirely on the Nile. We have records of measurements of the height of the Nile dating back to the time of the unification of Egypt, so we can assume this formed the basis of early taxation.”

The harvest tax provided a critical source of revenue for the state’s coffers. But the Egyptian state needed more than just grain—it also required labor. This was provisioned under the corvée system, in which all Egyptians under the rank of official could be conscripted by the state to work on public projects , taking on tasks like tilling fields, mining quarries, and building temples and tombs.

In addition to determining tax rates and types of taxes, the ancient Egyptians developed multiple methods of tax collection. During the Old Kingdom , which spanned roughly 2649 to 2130 B.C.E., the crown taxed communities collectively, ordering estate owners to hand over goods contributed by their retainers. Around this same time, the Egyptians pioneered the concept of a central government headed by the pharaoh, with smaller provinces known as nomes under the administration of local authorities.

To ensure that nomarchs (provincial governors) were accurately reporting their district’s wealth, Old Kingdom pharaohs conducted an annual or biannual tour of the kingdom. Known as the Shemsu Hor (Following of Horus ), the visits allowed the ruler to collect taxes directly instead of trusting a third-party tax collector or depending on the honesty of local authorities. Additionally, writes Wilkinson in The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt , the ritual “allowed the monarch to be a visible presence in the life of his subjects [and] enabled his officials to keep a close eye on everything that was happening in the country at large.”

Under the Middle Kingdom (2030 to 1650 B.C.E.), the crown started taxing subjects on an individual level . The pharaoh’s annual tour fell out of favor, replaced by scribes who kept meticulous records of how much was owed and who still needed to pay. This shift in tax collection strategy was only achievable due to a spike in literacy and subsequent increase in the number of available scribes.

Most physical evidence of taxation in ancient Egypt dates to the peak of the civilization’s recordkeeping: the New Kingdom (1550 to 1070 B.C.E.), when a fleet of tax collectors and scribes kept the Royal Treasury’s coffers fully stocked. Many New Kingdom pharaohs used the taxes collected by these officials to erect major monuments and throw grandiose jubilee celebrations .

In another parallel to the present, the Egyptians invented not only the basis of governance but also its pitfalls, pioneering the concepts of tax fraud, evasion and corruption. Scribes and nomarchs would often cooperate to underreport numbers to the state and keep the surplus, or charge peasants more than their fair share. At the same time, taxpayers invented creative ways to avoid paying their dues. Weighted scales used to measure grain, for instance, could be easily manipulated.

“People would sneak stones in the grain to meet the taxed weight for their fields,” Wilkinson says. “The problem grew so profuse, there were royal edicts issued telling people not to cheat the system.”

Around the turn of the 13th century B.C.E., the 18th Dynasty pharaoh Horemheb issued an edict stating that both tax extortion and evasion could be punished by removal of the nose and exile. This declaration reasserted the populace’s duty to pay the pharaoh and his kingdom, as everything in the state was understood to belong to the pharaoh.

Despite the fact that their society revolved around unwavering faith in the pharaoh, who was seen as the mediator between mankind and the divine, the ancient Egyptians weren’t overly enthusiastic about taxes. Much like today, citizens publicly protested the practice. Some complaints centered on unfair tax assessments: As a New Kingdom priest wrote in a letter, “You shall go with the standard-bearer Ptahemmaini and report to the vizier concerning the excessive silver that the retainer Iay tells me to give, for it is not my due tax at all.”

Egyptians’ discontent with systems of taxation was compounded by foreign occupation and the introduction of hard currency in the mid-first millennium B.C.E. When the Persians and later the Macedonians occupied Egypt, they introduced metal coinage and proceeded to levy taxes against the native population.

“The introduction of coins as currency was extremely practical,” says Moreno Garcia. “It allowed the state to collect one taxed revenue as opposed to diverse resources. The state could just exchange coins for exactly what [it] needed.”

But Egyptians complained about paying taxes to foreign entities, and they bemoaned corrupt officials skimming off the top. By the time Ptolemy V assumed the throne around 204 B.C.E. , the Egyptians were already rebelling against their Macedonian occupiers. Wanting to appease the native population, the Ptolemaic king sought to alter the tax rate for select influential groups, like high priests at major temples.

Ptolemy declared the temples tax-exempt to curry their favor. His success in this department is reflected by the Rosetta Stone , which displayed a decree issued by a council of Egyptian priests in 196 B.C.E., on the anniversary of Ptolemy’s coronation. One of the most famous archaeological finds in history, the stone slab allowed scholars to decipher hieroglyphs for the first time, presenting the same statement in hieroglyphic script, Demotic and ancient Greek. But its contents were relatively mundane, simply spelling out the pharaoh’s many accomplishments, among them reinstating tax exemptions for temples and “causing the soldiers and those who live in the country to be prosperous.”

As Edward Dolnick , author of The Writing of the Gods: The Race to Decode the Rosetta Stone , told Smithsonian magazine in 2022, the slab was essentially “a propaganda poster carved in stone,” touting the ruler’s achievements as a way of justifying the priests’ support of him.

“There were plenty of times tax exemptions were used in ancient Egypt as a political maneuver,” says Moreno Garcia. “Throughout history, pharaohs consistently issued decrees saying certain individuals or temples did not have to pay taxes.”

In ancient Egypt, temples dedicated to specific religious cults or gods functioned as lucrative businesses . Temples accumulated vast wealth and resources that the state then taxed—at least until it became politically expedient to declare big (religious) business tax-exempt.

Other parallels between taxation in ancient Egypt and modern societies abound. The wealthy often received tax breaks. Taxes were a tool to win political favor. Corruption ran rampant , and people often griped about taxes. That, too, is ancient Egypt’s legacy.

“This is what is interesting about studying ancient civilizations: You recognize patterns and processes and techniques of governments,” says Wilkinson. “We can recognize how basic techniques of governance developed in the world’s first nation-state are still used in all the nation-states today. We might think we’re living in very modern societies, but in the way that governments exercise control and authority, we’re still living in the Bronze Age.”

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Kate McMahon | READ MORE

Kate McMahon is a freelance journalist focused on science, history and travel. She's currently based in Egypt.

Covid changed how we spend: More YOLO splurging but less saving

Doom spending. soft saving. yoloing. whatever you call it, it’s clear covid has changed the way americans think about spending..

Arriel Vinson hadn’t traveled much before the pandemic. Now she can’t stop.

The 28-year-old writer leaves her Dallas apartment every chance she gets: to see Beyoncé in Atlanta, Usher in Chicago and for girls’ trips in Jamaica and Mexico. When a favorite artist announces new tour dates, Vinson starts rallying friends and snapping up tickets, flights and hotel rooms for their next hurrah.

“My mind-set has completely changed after covid: When I see something I want to do, I make it happen,” she said, adding that her new priorities have required some financial rejigging. “For a while I was going to dinner all the time. I was getting things delivered, but now I’m like, ‘I don’t want to waste money on that.’ I want to travel and go to shows.”

Whatever you call it — doom spending, soft saving, YOLOing (“you only live once”) — the coronavirus pandemic has changed the way Americans spend money. They are saving less but vacationing more , splurging on concerts and sporting events, and booking lavish trips years in advance. Spending on international travel and live entertainment surged roughly 30 percent last year, five times the rate of overall spending growth. Meanwhile, the personal savings rate is at a low not seen since the Great Recession.

And the spending spree has continued into 2024. Consumers spent $145.5 billion more in February than they did the month before — much of that on services — fueling the biggest monthly increase in more than a year, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis released Friday. Meanwhile, the personal savings rate fell to 3.6 percent, from 4.1 percent the previous month.

Just like the Great Depression ushered in decades of frugality and austerity — with an entire generation reusing plastic bags, jam jars and aluminum foil — there are signs the coronavirus crisis has had the opposite effect: nudging Americans toward spending more, especially on experiences.

“When you live through a crisis, it gets ingrained in your brain,” said Ulrike Malmendier, a professor of behavioral finance at the University of California at Berkeley. “The official economic reports might say everything is coming back to normal, but we are different people than we were before the pandemic.”

Financial shocks have repeatedly reshaped the way people think about money, Malmendier said. “Depression babies,” those who came of age after the stock market crash of 1929, were notoriously mistrustful of banks and financial markets. People who have been unemployed are often cautious about spending long after they have found another job. And after the 2008 financial crisis, Americans began saving more of their paychecks, to guard against another massive downturn.

But unlike those financial crises, which led people to pull back, the coronavirus pandemic has left a decidedly different legacy.

“The adverse effects of covid weren’t necessarily financial; people got jobs quickly and the government stepped in with support,” Malmendier said. “Instead, it’s about all of the things we were starved for: human interaction, socializing, travel. People are spending money on the things they missed most.”

Carolyn McClanahan, a financial adviser in Jacksonville, Fla., is seeing this firsthand. Her clients are generally saving less than they were before the pandemic, she said. Instead of solely planning for retirement, they’re focused on “maximizing life now” to make room for more travel, concerts and fun.

“People already had this attitude that you only live once — and that’s been put on steroids,” she said. “Covid was a big wake-up call that life is precious, so you’ve got to enjoy it now.”

It helps that many Americans still have more money in the bank than they did before the pandemic. They have gotten substantial raises or higher-paying jobs that have made it possible to keep spending, despite inflation. Stock portfolios and home prices have soared, giving middle- and upper-class households an extra boost. As of last fall, Americans were still sitting on an extra $430 billion in pandemic savings, according to estimates from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Yet consumers have been saving consistently less since the pandemic, with a particular drop-off last summer, coinciding with a strong spending boom .

Still, in a worrisome twist, families have been spending even if they don’t have the money. Credit card debt has risen 22 percent since the pandemic, and more shoppers are turning to “buy now, pay later” installment plans for routine purchases. Bank of America cardholders, for example, spent 7 percent more on travel and entertainment last year than they did in 2022. European summer vacations were particularly popular, with a 26 percent increase from the previous year.

That momentum has continued into the new year. More Americans are traveling than they were a year ago, Transportation Security Administration passenger data shows. And a near-record 22 percent of Americans say they are planning to vacation in a foreign country in the next six months, roughly double pre-pandemic levels, according to Conference Board survey data released this week.

Meanwhile, Live Nation — the parent company of Ticketmaster and the world’s largest entertainment company — posted a record $23 billion in sales last year and expects this year to be even bigger.

“Shows are flying out the door from top to bottom,” chief executive Michael Rapino said in a February earnings call. “We’re seeing no slowdown on the consumer.”

In interviews with more than a dozen Americans, many acknowledged that they are financially better off than they were a few years ago. But just as importantly, they said, they were spending differently — cutting back on midweek restaurant visits, for example, or buying fewer clothes, in favor of big-ticket items and memorable experiences.

All that spending on services helped push economic growth even higher in late 2023, up to a strong 3.4 percent — making the latter half of 2023 the strongest since 2014, outside of the pandemic years, according to data released Thursday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In Seattle, Mike Lee’s free time has become a whirlwind of comedy shows, concerts, hockey games and weekend trips. The software developer, who got divorced early in the pandemic, has been lining up experiences far in advance: Hawaii in April, a Foo Fighters show in August.

“It’s changed the way I move through life,” the 40-year-old said. “I used to save obsessively, almost to a fault, but I’m learning to go out and enjoy life a little bit more.”

But he isn’t splurging across the board. Lee still drives a 20-year-old Toyota Corolla and has cut his restaurant spending by half. Instead, he has stocked his freezer with soup dumplings, chicken wings and other prepared foods to hold him over on evenings when he doesn’t feel like cooking.

Those types of trade-offs, economists say, are likely to continue as households settle into new habits. Families are canceling HBO Max and Disney Plus subscriptions, for example, or ditching grocery delivery and getting rid of Pelotons they hoarded back in 2020.

“People are trying to find the right balance between how they lived during the pandemic and how they want to live now,” said Nadia Vanderhall, a financial planner in Charlotte. “They’re spending more on experiencing life, but they’re also trying to figure out what it means for their finances.”

Michelle Singletary: TikTok's 'loud budgeting' viral trend

Although economists expect a drop-off in spending this year, some are revising their forecasts: Fitch Ratings, for example, now expects consumer spending to grow by 1.3 percent in 2o24, even after inflation, more than double what it had initially predicted. Consumers are poised to keep tapping into savings, the firm said, which is expected to “support spending well into 2024.”

Susan Blume, a travel agent in Garden City, N.Y., is already booking river cruises along the Danube for 2026. International travel has exploded in the past few years, she said, and this year is on track to top them all.

“Everybody was just so confined during the pandemic that they never want to have that experience again,” she said.

But the biggest surprise: the rush of travelers in their mid-20s, far younger than Blume’s usual clientele.

“Gen Z has a very different attitude — they’re not going broke on Gucci or takeout,” she said. “Instead they’re squirreling away for travel. And they’re already planning next year’s big trip: all of Italy, or island-hopping in Greece, or four stops in France.”

It’s unclear exactly how long this era of experiential living will last, though economists say it’s likely to take a major shock, such as widespread job losses or a recession, to get Americans to rethink their spending.

“You have to really have a crash in employment to derail this consumer,” said Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG. “This spending isn’t just a mirage, it’s a fundamental change.”

That relentless consumption has invigorated the economy and propped up millions of service-sector jobs. But it has also contributed to a run-up in prices: Inflation for services is at 3.8 percent, compared with a 0.2 percent decline for goods in the past year. That’s creating an ongoing challenge for the Federal Reserve, which has specifically flagged the need to see services inflation cool.

“There is certainly a big question mark there: Can the Fed get hotel inflation, airline inflation, concert inflation down without slowing demand for those things?” said Torsten Slok, chief economist at Apollo Global Management. “But so far people are still spending.”

Michael Sheridan, who lives in Clearwater, Fla., has been on 13 cruises in 17 months. The latest, which he booked on a Friday afternoon, left for the Bahamas the next morning.

The 58-year-old, who once owned a couple of Outback Steakhouses, is on a fixed income. He receives $2,400 a month in Social Security Disability Insurance payments because of a rare genetic disorder that forced him to stop working a decade ago. Sheridan relies on a wheelchair to get around, but he says he has been financially fortunate: His mother, who died in 2020, left him enough cash to buy a $109,000 condo outright.

Now his monthly checks go toward homeowners association fees ($350), phone bills ($40), groceries ($250) — and travel. He’s in Japan now and headed to Seattle in April, the Caribbean in June and Switzerland in July.

“The pandemic absolutely fed this travel addiction,” he said, adding that he was quick to take advantage of cheap airfares and hotel rates during early lockdowns. “I just realized, if all of a sudden something goes south, I’m going to regret not having traveled while I could.”

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Puerto Rico declares an emergency as cases of dengue fever spike

Zoya Teirstein, Grist

This story was originally published by Grist . You can subscribe to its weekly newsletter here .

Warmer temperatures are driving outbreaks of dengue worldwide, with millions of cases already reported in 2024.

Puerto Rico declared a public health emergency this week as cases of dengue fever, a potentially deadly mosquito-borne infection, rise precipitously across the United States territory. In the emergency order , the commonwealth’s department of health said it had recorded 549 cases of the disease this year so far, a 140 percent increase over the same period a year ago.

The numbers have “surpassed historical records,” health secretary Carlos Mellado López said.

Puerto Rico’s health department is the latest government agency to mobilize its public health resources in service of controlling and treating large outbreaks of dengue. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka tried to tamp down unprecedented rates of dengue infections in the last year with varying degrees of success. Vast portions of Central and South America are battling months-long, record-breaking dengue crises. Some 5 million cases of the infection were reported worldwide in 2023, and the disease continues to spread. Already, an estimated 3.5 million cases of the infection and 1,000 deaths have been reported across the Americas in 2024 thus far — a rate of infection health officials predict will lead to a record-breaking number of dengue cases this year.

Epidemiologists and climate change researchers warn that warmer temperatures, intensifying storms, and more erratic and frequent rainfall events are contributing to outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses around the world. Research shows that over the past two decades, the environment in many regions of the world has become more hospitable to the Aedes genus of mosquito, the insect whose bite spreads dengue to humans. Warmer winters, hotter summers, and particularly milder springs and falls are allowing these mosquitoes to move into new areas and higher elevations that have historically been too harsh for their survival.

“It’s a complex problem, but climate change, and most importantly consistently increasing temperatures, even in higher elevations,” said Manisha Bhinge, vice president of the Rockefeller Foundation’s health initiative, create “fertile ground for an outbreak.”

Climate change is not solely responsible for the millions of dengue cases that have occurred since the beginning of 2023. The natural weather phenomenon El Niño, which produces warmer-than-average global temperatures and erratic changes in rainfall patterns across Latin America and other parts of the world, may play a role. Decaying and broken infrastructure, deforestation and urban sprawl, and underinvestment in sewage, water, and sanitation systems all contribute to disease surge by exposing more people to mosquitoes and creating pockets of standing water for the insects to breed in.

Warmer temperatures and extreme weather layered on top of these existing issues compound and exacerbate community vulnerability to dengue and other diseases spread by blood-sucking bugs.

Three in 4 people who get dengue — also known as breakbone fever — exhibit no symptoms, which means the true extent of the viral infection in Puerto Rico and other places is likely much higher than official reports indicate. Those who develop symptoms often report fevers of 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, muscle aches, and vomiting. Severe symptoms, such as intense stomach pain; bloody vomit, stool, or gums; and extreme fatigue, typically develop after the fever has passed. Individuals who contract the illness twice, from two different strains, are at a much higher risk of developing severe dengue or dying. The disease cannot be passed directly between people , but a person with dengue in their blood can pass the infection on to a mosquito, which can infect other people.

Some 340 people have been hospitalized so far this year in Puerto Rico with severe dengue symptoms. More than half of the island’s dengue cases have occurred in San Juan, the territory’s capital, and surrounding municipalities. The Puerto Rican government did not restrict travel into or out of the island, but the department of health said the infection had reached epidemic levels. The emergency order, which will remain in effect for three months, allows the department of health to tap government resources more quickly as it works to detect and control mosquitoes.

Last year, a small but unusual number of locally acquired cases of dengue popped up in California , Texas , and Florida . The risk to people living in the contiguous United States still largely comes from travel to countries where rates of the illness are much higher, though that could change in years to come as temperatures continue to rise.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently advising Americans to take precautions against dengue when traveling to many countries in Central and South America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. In Brazil, which has registered 1.5 million cases of dengue so far this year and recently became the first country in the world to launch a public vaccination campaign against the viral infection , 17 cities declared emergencies.

There is no one solution to controlling mass outbreaks of dengue. Governments are trying out a multifaceted response that includes public education and vaccine campaigns, spraying mosquito-killing insecticides, draining swamps and puddles of standing water, and deploying new technologies. Brazil, for example, has had some success releasing mosquitoes that have been infected with bacteria that prevents them from carrying dengue in Rio de Janeiro and a handful of other urban centers across the country. Still, the best line of defense for people in affected areas is reducing exposure to mosquitoes by spending time indoors when possible, sleeping in mosquito netting, and frequently applying bug spray.

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Should trump be allowed to run for office, speaker johnson fending off gop revolt as questions raised over possibly quitting: report.

When Congress comes back in session, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) will likely be faced with a growing revolt from his caucus as he tries to advance legislation that is deeply unpopular with right-wing members of his own party.

According to a report from Politico, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has been using the recess to stir up colleagues and set the stage for forcing Johnson out in the same manner that led to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to be ousted, which then led to his retirement from office.

The report goes on to note that Johnson has been privately complaining about the demands of the job, leading some allies to believe he'd be happy to step down .

"Speaker Mike Johnson would like Washington to believe he’s playing a meticulous game of chess as he prepares to pass Ukraine aid while fending off a right-wing revolt," writes Politico. "He might have instead played himself into checkmate. Johnson’s determination to act on Ukraine is putting him on a collision course with his conference’s hard-liners, multiple Republicans tell us — and Greene’s removal push could easily grow legs."

READ MORE: A criminologist explains why keeping Trump from the White House is all that matters

According to one GOP caucus member, when Greene first threatened to oust Johnson, he could have called her bluff and put it to a vote, but that time has passed. Now, however, "every day that it gets kicked down the road, the chance of it happening becomes more real.”

"Even if Johnson somehow manages to hold on — and that’s a big 'if' — there are already whispers in House GOP circles that he’s not long for the role of senior-most Republican," the publication writes. "Many Republicans privately concede that they’re unlikely to keep the House this fall. And if they don’t, there will be pressure on Johnson to step aside from leadership completely, as has happened to GOP speakers who have lost the majority since the 1950s."

The report goes on to document Johnson's personal displeasure with the job.

"Some are also privately asking if Johnson even wants the job anymore. In private conversations in recent weeks, he’s expressed his exhaustion and complained about a lack of sleep and the demands of frequent traveling. When s--t hits the fan, members say, he’ll have some soul-searching to do."

You can read more here .

A criminologist explains why keeping Trump from the White House is all that matters

The danger and consequences locally and globally of electing Donald Trump for a second time must be stressed every hour of every day between now and Nov. 5.

That’s because this election is first and foremost a matter of national security at home and abroad, and Trump poses a grave threat to both.

This election is not a matter of politics as usual.

Nor is this election about the “crucifixion” of Trump by a “deep state.”

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Or the selling of an overpriced Bible by a lifelong atheist portraying himself as a Christian on Easter Sunday and International Transgender Day of Visibility.

The 2024 election is about Trump posting a video on Truth Social of a picture of President Joe Biden hog-tied on the back of a MAGA pickup truck allegedly on its way to a funeral of a New York police officer killed in the line of duty.

This election had also been about gag orders not going far enough and the failure to implement sanctions to lock Trump up for threatening prosecutors, judges, family members and witnesses — at least until Monday night's ruling in the Manhattan case by Judge Juan Merchan .

The deference to Trump thus far has had absolutely nothing to do with the First Amendment or the fact that he is running for president. It has had everything to do with the institutional failure of the U.S. criminal justice system to treat Trump — who faces 88 felony charges across four separate criminal cases — the same as anyone else who threatens the fair administration of the due process of justice.

ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Congress raids presidential campaign fund in surprise reversal

A victory this fall by Trump threatens the end of American democracy as we have known it for some 250 years.

At best, a second Trump administration would usher in a new domestic order of illiberal democracy and disinformation. At worst, it would result in the United States’ entry into an anti-democratic axis of autocratic, plutocratic and kleptocratic nations.

Open recognition of these realities must become an everyday part of the 2024 presidential election.

Trump’s desired illiberal democracy or authoritarian regime is being brought to the nation by the thinking and planning of Turning Point USA, the Federalist Society, the Heritage Foundation, the American Legislative Exchange Council, and the Conservative Partnership Institute.

This coalition of conservative “stink” tanks led by the Heritage Foundation are all in with Trumpism and they have helped to produce Project 2025. This 920-page report was published in 2022 and “ promises revenge, oppression, and autocratic rule ,” says Thomas Zimmer writing for Democracy Americana.

The foreword, “Mandate for Leadership,” was written by Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts. According to Zimmer, “In just 17 pages, it captures and oozes the siege mentality, self-victimization, and grievance-driven lust for revenge that is fueling the Right and animating the plans for a second Trump administration.”

ALSO READ: 11 ways Trump doesn’t become president

Their agenda is also in alignment with the conservative decision making of the U.S. Supreme Court that, since 2010, has been empowering corporations, stripping individuals of their rights and chipping away at the checks and balances of the U.S. Constitution.

As we have all witnessed, the far-right supermajority Supreme Court is all in with Trumpism. They have been busy running interference for the insurrectionist-in-chief and delaying the trials of the four time criminally indicted presumptive GOP nominee.

The New York Times Magazine published an extensive interview with the Heritage Foundation’s Roberts back in January of this year entitled: Inside the Heritage Foundation’s Plans for "Institutionalizing Trumpism ."

Some of the highlights from this interview included that Roberts had nothing but praise for Viktor Orbán’s autocratic regime in Hungary. Echoing Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist, he acknowledged that he, too, wants to destroy the administrative state. Roberts also wants to fire 50,000 federal workers.

Roberts echoes McCarthyism, as well, when he asserts that Chinese communists have infiltrated the U.S. government. He also believes that there is a communist plot in the highest echelons of American power, although he has conceded this may only be a socialist plot.

Who said you can’t make this stuff up?

The administration of Trump 1.0 (2017-2021) was uninitiated and disorganized. It was full of chaos and disorder. It experienced resistance from within its own corridors of power. Beyond the Oval Office, it was still subject to institutionalists, to checks and balances, to the rule of law.

As Barton Gellman has reflected in The Atlantic’s special issue, “If Trump Wins,” the former president “tried and failed to cross many lines during his time in the White House. He proposed, for example, that the IRS conduct punitive audits of his political antagonists and that Border Patrol officers shoot migrants in the legs.”

That didn’t happen.

But following Biden’s victory in 2020, Trump and a sizable number of his supporters operationalized several schemes to overturn a legitimate election, including a failed insurrection that violated section three of the 14th Amendment.

ALSO READ: Inside the neo-Nazi hate network grooming children for a race war

The contending forces of political power combined were barely enough to impede Trump from his desire to remain — at any cost — in the White House as an unelected commander-in-chief.

Many politicians and politicos, as well as former officials from the Trump 1.0 administration, believe that if Trump is re-elected that he will not leave office after a second term. As former Rep. Liz Cheney has been saying, a vote for Trump may very well become “ the last election that you ever get to vote in .”

Trump 2.0 (2025-?) would be very different from Trump 1.0 for several reasons:

First, Trumpian lawlessness, corruption and weaponization of state attorney generals has taken over and spread throughout the Republican Party.

Second, the next Trump administration will be experienced and far better organized around Trumpian goals than the last one.

Third, the internal resistance and the threat of governmental institutionalists will have subsided. Rule of law itself will even become a secondary threat to Trump so long as he’s a free man..

Fourth, in the next administration, only political loyalists need apply for work. And loyalty oaths — not to the U.S. Constitution but to dictator Trump — will almost assuredly be implemented throughout the administration and civil service, if not across American society.

The continuing if not escalating assault on American democracy and the rule of law since Jan. 6 by Trump and his captured GOP including their desire to sanction the fourth estate, to deconstruct democratic institutions, and to weaponize law enforcement are all in sync with the rising waves of anti-democratic and authoritarian movements worldwide.

In the contemporary world, Trump’s nationalist “America first” vision of the United States has aligned with other illiberal and authoritarians engaged in populist rule underpinned by xenophobia, scapegoating and political targeting. What all these countries share in common is that they are trending toward fascism, standardization and disinformation.

For example, 30 years after the collapse of the Soviet bloc, we have President Vladimir Putin invading Ukraine and promising another Russian Empire.

In Brazil, there was former Army Captain Jair Bolsonaro elected to office in a landslide in 2018. He had surfed an anti-corruption wave promising to put an end to the “old politics” — only to be defeated in 2022 by the progressive and former jailed President Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro, a Trump ally and fellow failed insurrectionist, hung out at Mar-a-Lago after his defeat. After only six months, the Brazilian Electoral Court barred Bolsonaro from running again for political office until 2030.

In Argentina, there is the self-described “narco-capitalist-libertarian” and recently elected President Javier Milei. The 53-year-old economist and TV pundit ran on a ticket promising to reduce the size of government and three decades of triple-digit inflation. With the backing of the International Monetary Fund and the Davos crowd, Milei broke the hegemony of the nation’s two leading political forces — the Perónists, or left-of-center party, and the older conservative party, the Union Civica Radical.

Most recently in the Netherlands, there was the election of the anti-Islamic leader Geert Wilders. As the new prime minister, he is promising to spread the populist message, shake up democratic institutions and break a few rules.

So what do we have to do to save American democracy from its impending demolition?

In the long term, we must change and modify the electoral and constitutional systems of politicking and governing that have brought the United States to this historical quagmire in American democracy. There are no shortages of necessary reforms, recommendations, and programs waiting in the wings to be implemented for ameliorating our dysfunctional “bipartisan” democracy.

I have summarized these in Indicting the 45 th President: Boss Trump, the GOP, and What We Can Do About the Threat to American Democracy that was published on April 1 .

However, without the defeat of Trump in November, there will be no chance or opportunity to correct the existential crisis that consumes us all.

In the short term, therefore, we must do everything in our collective power to make sure that Biden is returned to office for a second term in 2025.

This entails convincing all voters, especially anti-Trump Republicans, independents and short-sighted Democrats, as well, that this election has little to do with partisan politics and policies.

It has everything to do with saving our democratic republic from Trump, Trumpism and the former Grand Old Party that has morphed and metastasized into something unrecognizable and dangerous.

Gregg Barak is an emeritus professor of criminology and criminal justice and the author of several books on the crimes of the powerful, including Criminology on Trump (2022) and its 2024 sequel, Indicting the 45th President: Boss Trump, the GOP, and What We Can Do About the Threat to American Democracy .

'Cowardice' or 'personal meltdown'? CNN panel speculates on Aileen Cannon's state of mind

A CNN panel on Thursday appeared baffled by Judge Aileen Cannon's actions in the Trump classified documents trial and speculated about the motives for her rulings.

After briefly discussing Cannon's widely criticized proposed jury instructions , in which jurors would be asked to consider whether top-secret government documents could be deemed Trump's personal property, Republican consultant Shermichael Singleton couldn't help but acknowledge that her decisions seem wildly favorable to the former president.

"Any criminal defendant would love to have a friend like judge cannon," he said. "I mean, it's very obvious where she lies on this."

Singleton added that Cannon's actions were only helping Trump politically given that his entire strategy has been to delay the criminal cases against him until after the 2024 presidential election.

Former Bush speechwriter David Frum then predicted that this strategy would succeed when it comes to Judge Cannon.

ALSO READ: MAGA congressional candidate: Michelle Obama might be a man, bring back Aunt Jemima

"Whether Judge Cannon is an ally of Trump's or whether she's just kind of having a personal meltdown under the weight of all this responsibility, panic and cowardice may be as much of a part of the story as bias," he said.

The speculation about Cannon comes as former Trump lawyer Ty Cobb argued on CNN Wednesday that the judge had done enough to warrant getting booted off the classified documents case all together.

"I think the evidence of her bias is pretty palpable," Cobb said. "I think the 11th Circuit tried desperately to draw a line for her... but her delays here are extraordinary... the filing today makes it plain that she has to rule, and if she doesn't rule, in either scenario, they'll be in a position to take her to the 11th Circuit, and I think the 11th Circuit will likely take her off the case."

Watch the video below or at this link .

MAGA congressional candidate: Michelle Obama might be a man, bring back Aunt Jemima

‘shortage of cash flow’: arizona gop admits financial disaster.

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