"A terrifying investigation": Expedition X host Josh Gates travels to Spike Island to uncover the truth behind paranormal claims

Expedition X Season 10 Episode 1 was released on August 20, 2025. The first episode, titled, Secrets of Spike Island featured Josh Gates and Heather Amaro. The two went to Spike Island, Ireland.

Narrating the reason behind their visit to the Island, Josh mentioned it was the most haunted place in Ireland. There was a prison that witnessed "centuries" of torture and torment.

While there, Josh and Heather also carried out some tests to see if there was a paranormal entity present. Sharing more about the reason behind their visit, and what might await them, Expedition X host Josh Gates shared:

"I joined Heather for a terrifying investigation of what's said to be the most haunted place in all of Ireland. Spike Island. This brutal prison saw centuries of torture and torment. Today, it's abandoned cells reportedly hold powerful paranormal activity."

Josh added:

"From the ghost of a sadistic guard to prisoners who tried to make a literal deal with the devil. We'll discover that true horror...has broken free from the confines of Spike Island."

Expedition X Season 10: Show host Josh Gates visits Spike Island with Heather Amaro as he recalls historical events

The first episode of Expedition X Season 10 featured Josh Gates and Heather Amaro, a paranormal researcher. The show also features Phil Torres along with the two. For the first episode, Heather didn't know where they were going.

Later on, during their helicopter ride, Josh revealed:

"You see that island in the harbor? That is where we're going. It was built as a fort. Later, it was converted into a notorious prison."

Josh added that thousands of people died there. Alcatraz was located a mile off the coast of Cork in Spike Island.

It was one of the infamous prisons for its "horrible conditions" and "human suffering."

"In the 1650s, during England's violent conquest of Ireland, British forces used Spike Island to hold thousands of prisoners under cruel conditions. The campaign is barbarically successful, dominating Ireland while killing off 20% of its population," revealed Josh.

Expedition X host also revealed more about how Spike Island was turned into the "island of death." He mentioned the Great Famine and how men, women, and children were sent to prison for stealing food. It was then, the fort was turned into a prison.

Prisoners suffered brutal beatings and solitary confinement while there. There were approximately 1200 deaths at the time of the famine. There have been reports from soldiers during World War II related to witnessing:

"The apparition of a British soldier with horrifying holes where his eyes should be. They call him the Gaunt Gunner."

Alcatraz was closed in 2004, but before that, it was used as a prison from 1985. However, even after closing, the "horrors" didn't stop. Since then, there have been regular reports involving "disturbing" paranormal activity from visitors and staff members.

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To know more, fans can stream Expedition X Season 10 Episode 1 on Discovery.

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