Photograph courtesy of Smith/Cusack Family
To mark the 85th anniversary of the 1938 handover of the ‘Treaty Ports’ from Britain to Ireland, Spike Island is hosting a new exhibition featuring a newly added collection of original artefacts which have been kindly donated to the museum by Fionnghuala Smith and her family. The collection features original documents, photographs and artefacts and will be displayed to the public for the very first time.
The collection tells the story of Daniel Cusack of Spike Island, a seaman who was employed by the [British] War Office. After the handover in 1938, Daniel was one of a small number of people who remained on the island after being offered employment by the Irish Department of Defence Fleet. One of the documents which is dated ’11th July 1938′, appears to be one of the first official documents signed by the Irish authority at Spike Island.
Another unique artefact donated to the curatorial staff at Spike Island in 2017 is a personal eyewitness account of the handover written just minutes after the ceremony. To commemorate the 85th anniversary this year, the Spike Island team have produced a special video based on the contents of this letter which gives visitors the opportunity to experience the excitement which surrounded Cobh and Cork Harbour on that momentous day.
The list of officers and enlisted men who arrived at Spike Island on 11 July 1938 is also on display courtesy of the Spike Island Volunteer Group.
The national flag, which is believed to be the actual Tricolour raised on the occasion of the 1938 Handover, is also exhibited. This original artefact was kindly donated to the museum by Mr Tom Kelly of Cobh in 2018.
Exhibition runs until 30 September 2023
Location: Mitchel Hall, Spike Island
The Taoiseach Éamon de Valera and other senior members of the Irish government at Spike Island.
Image courtesy: National Library of Ireland; kindly colourised by John Breslin, co-author of “Old Ireland in Colour” books.
