Spike Island Flag Raising commemoration in Cobh

The Irish Tricolour will be ceremonially raised in the Promenade in Cobh on Thursday 11th July 2013 in commemoration of the handover of the Treaty Ports in 1938. The Irish Tricolour was raised for the first time ever on Spike Island at 8pm on 11th July 1938 by then Taoiseach Eamon De Valera. This was an occasion for great celebration in Cobh and around Cork Harbour as
earlier in the day British troops had vacated the forts of Cork Harbour.

As this is the 75th anniversary, Cork County Council have organised a major commemorative ceremony on Spike Island that includes the raising of the flag there at 1 pm and a 21 Gun Salute. This year the Cobh ceremony will run in unison with this and the Mayor of Cobh, Cllr. John Mulvihill will raise the flag at 1 pm followed by a cannon gun salute.

This ceremony will commence with a Parade by the Cobh Branch O.N.E from Cobh Heritage Centre at approximately 12.30pm. St. Colman’s Pipe Band and Cobh Confraternity Band will provide musical honours. The Spike Island Flag Raising Ceremony was initiated in Cobh in 2007 by the Spike Island Heritage Committee. The committee successfully highlighted the vast history of Spike Island and its tourism and amenity potential. Plans to build a super prison on the island were shelved and Spike Island was handed over by the Department of Justice to Cork County Council.

Cobh Tourism have organised the annual ceremony in latter years, allowing former residents of Spike Island, relatives of the armed forces involved in the handover and members of the public an opportunity to commemorate a highly significant date in Irish history.

As tidal restrictions are limiting access to the Spike Island events, members of the public are encouraged to attend the Cobh ceremonies.