Page 10 - COBH EDITION 3rd MAY DIGITAL VERSION

SPIKE ISLAND IN THE RUNNING FOR EUROPE’S LEADING TOURIST
ATTRACTION AWARD

Cork County Council attraction Spike Island will be representing Cork and Ireland at
the upcoming World Travel Awards, as the island attraction competes for the title of
‘Europe’s leading tourist attraction 2019’. The islands
nomination was announced a few days ago and this
follows the island successful nomination in 2017. The
winner is set to be announced at a gala ceremony in
Madeira, Portugal on June 08th.
3 Irish sites are among the nominees as the Cliffs of
Moher and Epic, Dublin’s emigration museum, join
the island on the shortlist of 14. The island also
faces stiff competition from established international names like the Eiffel tower,
Buckingham Palace and the Sagrada Familia. Despite the competition Island Man-
ager John Crotty is confident the island can take home the crown.

“We have seen so much development in the last 2 years since our successful entry
in 2017, with the latest addition of a new ferry just this week adding to our visitor
experience”. The island remains the Tripadvisor traveller favourite for Munster and
is number 3 in Ireland.

The island opened to the public in June 2016 following 6.5 million Euro of invest-
ment by Cork County Council and Failte Ireland and its numbers have grown year
on year from 44000 in 2017 to 71000 in 2018.

It is hoped the island can eventually attract over 100000 visitors a year into the
city and county, with new additions this year including a Ring of Spike walking trail
and an ‘Independence’ exhibition, focusing on the 1400 War of Independence pris-
oners held on the island in 1921.

The news was well received by Cork County Council Chief Executive Tim Lucey who
has seen massive redevelopment of the island during his tenure. “The work that
has been carried out to date has been exceptional and the island tells a terrific
story”.

“The island has a rich history and heritage that makes it well placed to become an
iconic visitor attraction to rival sites like the Guinness Storehouse and Titanic Bel-
fast, with the new additions like walking trails, exhibitions and a larger ferry should
attract even more visitors to this already excellent site.
Last year’s winner the Acropolis of Greece will hand over the crown to one of the
14 finalists with hopes high for an Irish success.
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Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club
Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club will hold its next meeting in Cobh (Great Island)
Community Centre on Monday 13th May at 7.30pm. It will be a Garden Talk by
Malcolm Kitt entitled “Carte Blanche”. Visitors welcome.
Admission €5.