Spike Island is a remote location off the coast of Ireland that’s basically the European equivalent of Alcatraz Island. Initially settled in the 7th century as a secluded religious base, this piece of real estate has been highly sought after aggressively many times throughout history. In the late 1700’s, it became a military fortification to protect the British from the French. In 1847, the island became one of the largest maximum-security prisons in the entire world. Even into the 1900’s and early 2000’s, this massive site held the worst of the worst of Ireland’s criminals. Because of so much siege and hostility surrounding the location, it’s no wonder that modern times have seen it develop into one of the most haunted spots in the world, let alone all of Europe. Harsh conditions were the unfortunate norm during its heyday, along with brutal treatment of its condemned. Despite being well off the coast of the British Isles, paranormal investigators flock there because of its dark history. Ghosts and apparitions of various soldiers and inmates are commonly reported virtually everywhere. One of its most infamous guards, William Ready, seems to continue to oversee all operations today, and he was definitely not the nicest person to have to deal with in life. An unknown British fighter has been frequently reported dating back to the 1940s that has earned the eerie moniker “The Gaunt Gunner”. Having personally been to Alcatraz and experiencing its creepy ambiance, I can certainly understand why this lesser-known part of Ireland has the specific reputation that it does. The island remains a popular tourist destination year-round, and it’s just a short ferry ride from the mainland to get there. “The luck of the Irish” definitely has no place there, but it’s still highly regarded among the paranormal community.
Haunted Spike Island
