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Welcome & Opening Times

Fota House Tours

Guided tours of the Fota House are available each day at 12 noon and 2pm. 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, jewelry, 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

June 16th - Pride and Prejudice Outdoor Performance presented by Chapterhouse Theatre Company

Take a step back in time as we meet Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters. Whilst their interfering mother engineers various courtships, Elizabeth and Jane must pursue their own quest for true love. Amidst mistakes and miscommunications, can Elizabeth finally surpass her prejudices to see past the proud exterior of the enigmatic Mr Darcy?

For further information and to book Click Here

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

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.

Victorian Working Garden

Formal Gardens & Arboretum

Bakestone Café

Social Media

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

9 hours ago

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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Fota House & Gardens

7 days ago

Lovely feature today in Echo Live on Ciara & Beau’s wedding earlier this year. We were delighted to be their chosen ceremony venue and to have been able to share their special day with them.💕#weddinginspiration #weddingvenuecork#irishweddingwww.echolive.ie/corklives/arid-40875620.html ... See MoreSee Less

Wedding of the Week: Couple's love of rally driving was central to wedding

www.echolive.ie

Ciara O'Donovan and Beau Roberts started their romance at The West Cork Rally in Clonakilty

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

1 week ago

It’s World Bee Day today and we have a selection of bee friendly plants available to purchase in our Victorian Working Gardens open until 5pm today and from 12-5 tomorrow & Sunday.#worldbeeday2022 #biodiversity#sharingspecialplaces ... See MoreSee Less

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

1 week ago

It’s National Volunteering Week this week and we are very lucky here at Fota to have a fantastic group of volunteers not only within the House but also in our Victorian Working Gardens. Our Collection Care volunteers featured in these photos have been busy behind the scenes with various projects inside the house this week while also preparing for our National Drawing Day event on Saturday. #nationalvolunteerweek2022 #volunteers #sharingspecialspaces #irishheritagetrust ... See MoreSee Less

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Fota House & Gardens

2 weeks ago

We are celebrating National Biodiversity Week 2022 which begins today.Our Junior Plant Hunter Trail and Little Explorer Trail booklets and maps are available to purchase in our gift shop. Our friends at the OPW are running free tours of the gardens on Monday 16th May @ 2:00pm and Wednesday 18th May @ 12 noon. No pre booking required meet at the flagpoles outside the front of Fota House.Celebrate World Bee Day at Fota with the Irish Bee Conservation Project in the Victorian Working Gardens on Sunday 22nd May 2022 12 noon – 4.30pm . Family games, Pollinator Tour and Talks Sunday is €10 for individuals or €25 for a family at Fota House & Gardens.#nationalbiodiversityweek2022 #visitfota #irelandsancienteast #worldbeeday2022 ... See MoreSee Less

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