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Fota House

Welcome & Opening Times

Fota House Tours

Guided tours of the Fota House are available each day at 12 noon, 2pm and 3:30pm. Tours can be booked in advance on this website or open to visitors on the day 10 minutes prior to the commencement time. Tours last approx. 50 minutes and tells the story on the Fota property, the Smith-Barry Family and the staff who worked across the estate.

Fota House Gift Shop

Open daily 10:30 - 5pm. A wide range of giftware, jewellery, artisan foods and books are available.

Bakestone Café at Fota House

Bakestone Café at Fota House is now open each day 10:30am - 5pm. Indoor Cafe is table service only (limited capacity) but takeaway food & beverages are served through an outside counter with outdoor benches adjacent.

Toilets

Outdoor toilets are available past the Café area of Fota House

Arboretum & Gardens

  • Victorian Working Gardens are open weekdays from 10:30am - 4:45pm and weekends 12noon to 4:45pm with a range of plants also available for purchase.
  • Fota Arboretum is open daily 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Fota Walled & Pleasure Gardens are open during the week with weekend opening (From 1st April); Saturday 11am-5pm & Sunday 2-5pm
  • Pre booking is not required to walk the Arboretum & Gardens
  • Dogs are welcome in the Arboretum & Gardens but need to be on a lead at all times.

Please note that the Arboretum & Gardens are cared for by our site partners the OPW so please consult their website https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/fota-arboretum-and-gardens/ for the most up to date opening times.

COVID 19 Safety Charter

Further information about the Fáilte Ireland Covid-19 Safety Charter is available at their website here. Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens is listed as a compliant organisation under the Irish Heritage Trust.

General Site Guidelines

Visitors are asked to be socially conscious and responsible while visiting Fota to ensure the maximum enjoyment for all.

More information available at HSE website

Forthcoming Events

Upcoming Events

July 3rd - Cinderella Outdoor Theatre Performance presented by Chapterhouse Theatre Company

In an enchanted kingdom in a faraway land magical creatures and fairy godmothers come together to tell the best loved of all fairytales. Full of song, mirth, and joy for the summer ahead, join us on Cinderella’s journey of a lifetime to a magical ball where nearly anything is possible especially if it is before midnight.
For further information and to book Click Here

July 16th - Much Ado About Murder Outdoor Theatre Performance presented by Heartbreak Productions

Don your detective cap and join Heartbreak Productions for some super silliness this summer. Our original murder mystery will set five suspects under the spotlight, and we will depend on the audience to find answers.Who was lurking in the corridor carrying a candlestick? When did the third gunshot go off - before or after the very silly song? And probably most importantly why didn't you pack a larger picnic Answers to these and other equally important questions will only be uncovered as we make Much Ado About Murder 

For further information and to book Click Here

July 21st - Awful Auntie by David Walliams Outdoor Theatre Performance presented by Heartbreak Productions

Awful Auntie by David Walliams, adapted for the outdoor stage by Heartbreak Productions is a truly thrilling tale. Owls, ghosts, chases, escapes, motorcycle rides, and tiddlywinks all fill Stella's day as she evades her menacing Aunt and saves her family home. So, please join us at the dedication of the new playground at Saxby Hall and hear how it all came about.

For further information and to book Click Here

September 9th - 21st Century ABBA & Elton John Outdoor Performance presented by Chapterhouse Productions

Chapterhouse Productions presents an exhilarating evening of music from Abba & Elton John in the beautiful surroundings of Fota House & Gardens.

For further information and to book Click Here

Irish Craft Heroes Outdoor Panel Exhibition

Irish Craft Heroes, a major exhibition celebrating 50 years of Irish craft, coincides with Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s (DCCI) 50th Anniversary since its establishment in 1971. To mark this landmark occasion, the National Design & Craft Gallery has produced an outdoor, touring exhibition and publication charting the evolution of the craft and design sector in Ireland over the last 50 years, paying homage to the many makers whose work has contributed to the rich tapestry of craft and design practice in Ireland.

Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens plays host to this very interesting and informative exhibition at our Victorian Working Gardens until July 26th. The exhibition is open 10:30am – 4:45pm daily and 12 noon – 4:45pm at weekends & bank holidays. Admission is free.

For further information click here

 

Patterns of History - Wallpaper Exhibition at Fota House

Fota House is delighted to welcome visitors to its new wallpaper exhibition Patterns of History which is being hosted with the support of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports & Media, – Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme. The exhibition, curated by renowned wallpaper expert David Skinner, gives historic context to the evolution of wallpaper from the late 18th century and includes many examples of various textures and creative methods.

The exhibition is available to view on request - please call us on 021-4815543 to arrange a visit.

 

House Tours & Events

There's always something to do at Fota! A range of cultural events for all ages and interests take place throughout the season including garden, craft, seasonal and family events, evening concerts and seminars.

For Fota House Tours and Events Click Here

Fota House

Victorian Working Garden

Formal Gardens & Arboretum

Bakestone Café

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Fota House & Gardens

1 day ago

Fota House & Gardens
😭😭😭We regret to say that Fairy Fest at Fota House will have be rescheduled due to bad weather... This is not a decision we have made lightly but we feel that it is the right one. With the heavy rainfall the family experience that we have put together would be compromised. It would be unfair to expect anyone to attend or performers to work in these conditionsThe new dates for Fairy Fest will be Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of July✨All ticket holders have been contacted with options Thank you as always for your support and understandingBest Wishes,Anthony and Fiona ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

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Fota House & Gardens Fota House & Gardens is at Fota House & Gardens.

7 days ago

Fota House & Gardens
Happy Fathers Day from all the team at Fota House. ... See MoreSee Less

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Fota House & Gardens

3 weeks ago

Fota House & Gardens
The Irish Craft Heroes outdoor panel exhibition is available to view daily in our Victorian Working Gardens which are open from 12-5 this weekend.If you are out and about in Cork over the long weekend. Don't forget to check out the 'Irish Craft Heroes' outdoor panel showing at Fota House & Gardens Irish Craft Heroes, a major exhibition celebrating 50 years of Irish craft, coincides with Design & Crafts Council Ireland's (DCCI) 50th Anniversary since its establishment in 1971. To mark this landmark occasion, DCCI @ndcgallery has produced an outdoor, touring exhibition, charting the evolution of the craft and design sector in Ireland over the last 50 years, paying homage to the many makers whose work has contributed to the rich tapestry of craft and design practice in Ireland.#irishcraftheroes #exhibition #craft #design #Cork #Ireland National Design & Craft Gallery National Design & Craft Gallery ... See MoreSee Less

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Fota House & Gardens Fota House & Gardens is at Fota House & Gardens.

4 weeks ago

Fota House & Gardens
If you are planning a visit to Fota this weekend check out the Irish Craft Heroes outdoor exhibition which is available to view in our Victorian Working Gardens. This wonderful outdoor exhibition charts the evolution of the craft and design sector on the island of Ireland over the past 50 years. The exhibition is on a 2022 tour and has been in Kilkenny Castle, Dublin Castle and GMIT and is with us here in Fota until July 26th before heading to the Botanic Gardens in Belfast.Our Victorian Working Gardens are open this weekend from 12-5#sharingspecialspaces #irishcraft #irishheritagetrust #irelandsancienteast #purecork ... See MoreSee Less

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