This will be spectacular.

Spike Island is celebrating its 85th birthday this year, marking the date when Spike Island was officially handed from Britain to Ireland in 1938.

In honour of the occasion, the attraction is celebrating its own Independence Day with a spectacular fireworks display, musical performances, and family fun on Saturday, July 8th, 2023.

A brilliant excuse to let the kids stay up late and make some unforgettable memories, visitors will board the ferry across the world’s second-largest natural harbour, enjoy a guided tour on arrival, explore the fort’s amazing museums and exhibitions and walk the amazing island nature trails.

Later there will be family entertainment, children’s activities, pop-up musical performances and face painters before the night closes with a fireworks display that will launch 1300 fireworks into the sky over Cork Harbour, one for every inmate who died on the island in its three incarnations as a prison.

Boats depart from 5.15pm with earlier arrivals being first to exit after the event. The fireworks display will take place at around 10pm and return boats from the island begin at 10.30pm and leave every 10 minutes with the last return boat at 11.45pm.

Tickets are €25 for adults and €14 for kids and you can pre-book now here.