Over 175 years ago the people of Ireland and American Indians embraced

Ireland was being annihilated by a forced famine that would kill over 1 million

Those with nothing offered everything

Now, 2 statures standing either side of the Atlantic mark the moment (1) In 1847 Ireland was ravaged by a horrific famine

British rulers denied sufficient aid, continuing to export food as people starved

Over 1 million Irish died - millions more emigrated

It is the most lethal event in modern Irish or British history, incl both World Wars (2)

On this day, 86 years ago, a momentous moment in Irish history occurred

Spike Island was returned to Ireland

It was deemed so important by Britain it fortified & held it from 1779 to 1938

When returned, Winston Churchill raged

Ireland celebrated

How did it come about? (1) For context, Ireland gained independence for 26 of 32 counties after a brave War of Independence in 1921

Spike Island was retained as 1 of 3 Irish ‘Treaty ports’

A British Military base since 1779, Cork Harbour were deemed too important to relinquish

Primarily by one man (2)

My wife & I completed an Irish pilgrimage today

Sant'Agata dei Goti in Rome holds the heart of the most substantial Irishman of all time

Daniel O’Connell

Except the relic has been missing since 1927

This is the strange story of the missing heart of Daniel O’Connell (1) Daniel O’Connell stands alone in Irish history

Born near Cahirsiveen in rural Kerry, he was 1 of the few landowning Catholic families

As a young man he watched as Ireland was fiercely punished for a rising in 1798

The modest gains of the late 18th century were reversed (2)

A touch of class from King George VI

When Ireland became a Republic in 1948, it formally removed the last functions of the King

The Kings response was a gracious message:

'I send you my sincere good wish this day being well aware of (our) neighbourly links...' (1) 'I hold in most grateful memory the services and sacrifices of the men and women of your country who rendered gallant assistance to our cause in the recent war & who made a notable contribution to our victory

I pray that every blessing may be with you today & in the future' (2)

The secret scriptorium of Spike Island Cork;

It’s long been known Spike Island was home to a monastery from 635ad

But since the 1950’s a new theory has emerged

Evidence that a sacred scriptorium operated on Spike Island

And now we think we know where (1) The monastery has always been of interest

An important monks death is recorded in the Annals, 821ad

Research suggests it survived at least 500 years into the 13th century

But the monastery’s exact location was lost to us

The motivation to find it has increased (2)

The military credentials of Spike Island Cork are remarkable

Yet most people don't know the enormous effort taken to secure the western approaches to the British Empire

Here is the story of an island fortified to defend an Empire (1) For context, Spike Island is a 104 acre island outcrop in Cork Harbour

It had already been home to a monastery in the Celtic Sea from 635AD

A first prison arrived in the 1600's, holding Oliver Cromwell's POW's. More would follow

But its strategic importance was rising (2)

The incredible story of Waterford's Edmond Power, the boy they made a murderer

Edmond was a soft famine orphaned teen in 1848

Instead of the care he needed, Edmond was treated like a criminal

In just 8 short years, his mistreatment twisted him into something far worse... (1) His first crime in 1848 was the act of being homeless

That an orphaned boy of 14 was homeless during 1 of the worst famines in history is hardly surprising

Yet the authorities made a criminal of Edmond, and set him on a path to ruin (2)

In 2020 workmen on Spike Island found a centuries old surprise

They were reopening the ‘Sallyport’

A tunnel under the forts walls, it connects the surrounding moat for strategic military purposes

It was blocked up to deter prisoner escapes, but it hid something else (1) Halfway down the tunnel was an unexpected doorway

It was not on any maps or drawings of the 1804 fort

Shining a light into centuries of darkness revealed a stone spiral staircase

Intricate. Ornate. The work of master craftspeople (2)

Spike Island Cork was the largest prison in the world in the early 1850's.

It wasn't just men within its walls.

Boys as young as 12 made up 10% of the population.

Here are some of the stories of Ireland's youngest ever offenders 🧵 (1) For context, the punishment of juvenile offenders was standard practice in Victorian Ireland

Age 7 & under was considered incapable of criminal intent

Any older received adult treatment despite their youth

They even received the lash on entry & exit, an unforgettable ordeal (2

85 years ago today, Spike Island was returned to Ireland.

Winston Churchill raged.

Eamon deValera celebrated.

Ireland rejoiced.

How did it come about? Who was there? How did a Cockney come to loggerheads with a Gaeltacht soldier?

The history of the Spike handover 🧵 (1) For context, Ireland gained self determination for 26 counties after a brave War of Independence in 1921

Spike Island was retained as 1 of 3 Treaty ports

A British Military base since 1779, Cork Harbour were deemed too important to relinquish

Primarily by one man... (2)

Spike Island is Ireland's historic Island, worthy of UNESCO recognition.

Yet most people don't know its rich history, or global significance.

Here are 17 short tweets that explain why Ireland's Alcatraz will be known everywhere as a true world wonder... (1) Ancient Island - The island is surrounded by some of the earliest excavations of human occupation in Ireland.

Inhabiting Cork Harbour, its almost certain the people of the Mesolithic visited the island, being accomplished boat people.

Future finds are likely (2)

In 1852, Cork was home to the largest prison in the world.

2461 convicts were officially assigned to Spike Island.

Almost 60% of Ireland’s male convict population, in 1 place.

How large does that make it?
1/6 For starters, the prison remains the largest ever formal prison in Irish history.

Mountjoy opened in 1850.

Its 500 single cells were considered enormous for the time.

Spike Island was nearly 5 times that capacity, in the same decade.
2/6