The Irish Heritage Trust which manages Fota House in Cork is proud to be the gatekeeper of many stories. We know this one is all too common and many families safeguarded those last letters from the Continue reading →
Whilst a good number of volunteers are working with staff on the annual exercise of taking all the decorations down from the attics and sitting around a table sorting, making and sometimes mending, Museum Standards and Property Care Co-ordinator Stephen Continue reading →
The Boxing Baroness Courtesy of the British Museum
“The Barrymores, you know, really cannot be held accountable for their odd manners” … and the worst offenders were the Earls of Barrymore who partied their way through their fortunes in Regency Continue reading →
The honours board that is on the wall in the platform of the Royal Yacht Squadron with our John Smith Barry’s name very prominent for all to see to this day
John Smith-Barry (1793-1837) of Fota House loved to race yachts and won many cups with ‘The Morning Star’ and ‘Columbine’, the latter a 99 ton cutter. The painting above shows John at Fota with ‘Columbine’ moored in Cork Harbour Continue reading →
That no rising happened in Cork on the 23rd-24th April 1916 might said to be down to Edwardian communications technology. It was impossible to communicate in secret at speed. The rising in Cork ran as follows:
Sprinkles here, just checking in with you all at this busy time. Hope you are all keeping well and have your letter written and posted to Santa. There were letters posted in my letter box here Continue reading →
I hope you are feeling on top of the world today and excited about Santa!
Us elves are putting on our wellingtons because we are going on an adventure around the arboretum to find beautiful holly, ivy and greenery Continue reading →