Check out Cork attraction that is Ireland's eighth most ‘underrated' tourist hotspot
The Cork attraction has been open to tourists for just over a decade
A Cork tourist attraction has been listed among Ireland's most 'underrated' to visit this year.
A new report from SumUp, known best for their contactless payment terminals that flooded mobile coffee shops during the pandemic, has revealed Ireland's most underrated tourist hotspots.
The study considered a number of factors, including number of reviews, tourist traffic, and the cost of public transport.
Rated first on the list is Dublin's 14 Henrietta Street museum, with Skellig Michael in Kerry and the Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal also placing within the top three.
However, Spike Island, across the water from Cobh, has earned itself a respectable eighth position in the rankings, scoring 84.85 points out of 100 on the index.
Spike Island has a long and storied history. Known best as the site of a prison for many decades, the first settlement dates back to a monastery built in the 7th century, while the largest convict depot in the world during Victorian times was also situated on the small island in the middle of the harbour.
Spike Island had previously held a Defence Forces barracks before the prison, with families of army members forming their own community on the island, that had a small primary school and a number of houses, still intact from its army days.
The island served as a prison as recently as 2004, with its most infamous moment coming when prisoners rioted in 1984, causing destruction and damage to the prison and some of its historic property.
In 2010 it was handed over to Cork County Council, who put significant work into updating the site into a tourist centre, which opened in 2016, and serves as the perfect day trip on the Cork-Cobh train, as boats bring visitors over and back from the nearby town several times a day.
Spike has a number of walking trails that go around the island, as well as a museum on the main Fort Mitchell, and a schedule of ever-changing exhibitions that keep every visit fresh.
'We created this ranking to spotlight some of Ireland's hidden gems—places that are often overlooked in favour of the usual tourist spots like Dublin Castle or Guinness Storehouse,' said Corin Camenisch, Marketing and Growth Leader at SumUp. 'By highlighting these underrated hotspots, we're hoping to show people spots they might not know about and spread the benefits of local tourism.'
'With TikTokers and influencers constantly sharing cool, off-the-beaten-path places, more and more people are eager to discover unique destinations, and we think that's a great way to help local economies thrive. By bringing attention to these lesser-known landmarks, we hope to not only provide visitors with new and enriching experiences but also support small businesses that may not have the same visibility as those placed in larger, well-known, tourist attractions.
'These hidden gems often rely on tourism to sustain their operations, and by shining a light on them, we're hoping to ensure that local businesses can benefit from a steady flow of visitors, which is crucial for their growth and long-term success.'
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