Rocky Island (Irish: Oileán Cathail)[1] is located in Cork Harbour, Ireland. Situated between the naval base on Haulbowline Island and the mainland, a gunpowder magazine was constructed on the island by the Board of Ordnance in 1808.[2][3] Used for military storage into the 20th Century, the stores were re-purposed for use by Irish Steel until 2002. It was redeveloped between 2005 and 2007,[4] and is now home to the Island Crematorium, the first crematorium in the Republic of Ireland outside of Dublin.[5]

Rocky Island

Native name: Oileán Cathail
Rocky Island
Location of Rocky Island within Cork Harbour
Rocky Island
Geography
Location	County Cork, Ireland
Coordinates	51°50′14″N 8°18′05″W
Administration
Ireland
Province	Munster
County	Cork
Water body	Cork Harbour

Two bridges connect Rocky Island with the mainland and with Haulbowline. The bridges carry the single lane L2545 roadway.^{[citation needed]}

Island crematorium

In the early 19th century, the centre of the rocky landscape of the island was excavated and a matching pair of triple-vaulted magazines were constructed; the magazine compound was hidden behind a perimeter of natural rock and a rocky outcrop was retained between the two magazines, on which a watch tower was built. One of the two magazines remains, accessed by a tunnel through the rock; inside the compound there is a courtyard at either end, linked by pair of passageways which flank the main magazine.[6] Following its redevelopment as a crematorium, the central vault of the magazine serves as a 'spiritual space' for funeral services, the north vault contains the 'family and refreshment areas' and the south vault contains the 'staff areas' (including the cremator).[7]

Gallery

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  Entrance to the former magazine compound
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  Tunnel leading from the entrance to the courtyard
• 
  Courtyard and exterior of the magazine building
• 
  'Spiritual space' inside the former magazine

References

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