Spike Island are holding a very special ‘Aud and Easter rising’ tour on Saturday 15th April, Easter weekend. The boat departs at 3pm and returns at 6.30pm.
Visitors purchasing a tour ticket can experience the ferry journey across Cork harbour, get a 1 hour guided tour of the island and time for a break in our coffee shop, and then get entry to the Aud exhibition and talks.
The Aud is the infamous German gun running ship that was bringing 20000 rifles and 1 million rounds of ammo for use in the 1916 rising. The ship previously known as the SS Castro was disguised as the Norwegian fishing vessel the Aud, and an expert crew led by Commander Karl Spindler selected. The arms were to be used against the British in the rising, thus aiding Germany efforts to distract the British from their World War 1 conflict.
But the British were expecting the attempt having broken the German codes some months before. The crew were captured and escorted to Cork harbour before they scuttled the ship, and they were held on Spike Island before being sent to the UK as prisoners of war.
Visitors can enjoy the brand new bespoke exhibition and will be treated to a short talk on the fascinating Aud story, as well as a hearing a reading from a letter by a living Aud relative and also from the German Ambassador to Ireland. Given its Easter rising connection this is the ideal time to experience this unique event in Irish history, and wonder how different would Ireland’s history be had Spindler and his arsenal of weapons go through?
Charge is €18 pp which includes the ferry, fully guided tour, break, entry to Aud exhibition and talks and the return ferry. Boat departs at 3pm and returns at 6.30pm. Online booking only at www.spikeislandtours1916.eventbrite.ie