Mr de Valera Hauls up Eire flag at taking over of Spike Island Forts. To the accompaniment of a gun salute, Premier Eamon de Valera hauled up the tricolour flag of Eire on Spike Island, Cork Harbour, to mark the taking over of the forts from the British Army, which has been in command there since 1779 when the island was bought by the British War Office. The forts were handed over under the terms of the recently concluded Anglo Eire agreement. Photo shows, Mr Eamon de Valera hauling up the Eire flag on Spike Island in the presence of dail Mambers. 13 July 1938