Fort Mitchel
Eighteenth century.
Kondephy — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mike Pennington — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Mike Pennington — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Brian Cleary — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Stackc — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Guliolopez — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Owen O'Sullivan — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Kondephy — CC BY-SA 4.0
A 42-hectare island in Cork Harbour that began as the site of a monastic settlement and was later dominated by a huge eighteenth-century fort, today called Fort Mitchel; over the centuries it served as a fortress and a prison. In the nineteenth century it became one of the largest prisons in the region, and convict ships sailed from here to distant colonies; it remained a military base until the late twentieth century before becoming an attraction named Europe's leading tourist attraction. The visit starts with a short ferry ride from Cobh, then a guided tour of the fort taking in cells, museums and exhibitions, and walking trails around the island with views of the harbour and colourful Cobh with its towering cathedral. Adult tickets are about €27.95, covering the return ferry, the guided tour and all exhibitions, per visitor guides. A visit takes about three and a half hours; bring a jacket, as the island is windy.
Eighteenth century.
And museums.
From Cobh.
Cork Harbour, by ferry from Cobh
By ferry from Cobh; the adult ticket, about €27.95, includes the ferry and the guided tour, per visitor guides.
