Mother's Day Workshop
2026-03-15 10:30 - 13:30 (Europe/Dublin)
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a Creative Workshop at Fota House & Gardens, Cork
Looking for a meaningful Mother’s Day experience?. This intimate, nurturing creative gathering at Fota House combines a calming tea ritual, and a chance to create a personalized, handmade gift she’ll treasure forever.
Tea Ritual: Begin with a soothing tea ceremony that invites you to the space in a meaningful way and encourages mindfulness and presence. Taste several varieties of tea, explore tea culture, and enjoy a moment of calm and connection in the stunning surroundings of Fota House.
Creative Gift Making: Express your love through creativity! Using a variety of materials, colors, and textures, you will design and make a one-of-a-kind gift box or card. All materials are provided and you do not need to have any prior experience. Bring along a small personal gift that would have special meaning to your loved one to enhance the experience, though this is optional.
Delicious Treats: Homemade cakes and chocolates will be served alongside the teas, completing your sensory and creative experience.
Perfect for: Mother and daughter bonding, meaningful gifts, and unique Mother’s Day activities in Cork.
Booking Information: For bookings or more details, please contact Jeni on 087 9143783.
Special Offer: “Mum Time” offer available for all mums!

Sarah Rohu Spring Watercolor Workshop
2026-03-22 11:00 - 14:00 | Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens
Join Sarah Rohu for a Spring Watercolour Workshop at Fota House
Experience the joy of painting at Fota House with local artist Sarah Rohu in this relaxing spring watercolour workshop. Perfect for beginners, you’ll create miniature watercolour paintings ideal for greeting cards, complete with hand-inscribed Irish blessings.
All materials are provided, so you can simply immerse yourself in the calming process of painting. During the workshop, enjoy tea, coffee, and scones in the beautiful Fota House café, giving you the chance to mingle with fellow artists and soak in the serene atmosphere of this historic heritage site.
Whether you’re looking to explore a new creative hobby or enjoy a peaceful artistic retreat, this watercolour painting workshop at Fota House is the perfect way to unwind and embrace your creativity this spring.

Vanburgh & Friends
2026-03-29 15:00 - 16:30 | Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens
Vanbrugh & Friends made a welcome return back to Fota House for a special afternoon recital on Sunday, March 29th at 3pm. Set within the elegant surroundings of one of Ireland’s finest historic homes, this live classical music performance promises an unforgettable chamber music experience in Cork.
This highly anticipated recital will showcase three outstanding masterpieces from the string quintet repertoire, performed by the acclaimed ensemble:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – String Quintet in E-flat major, K.614

Johannes Brahms – String Quintet in F major, Op.88

Felix Mendelssohn – String Quintet in B-flat major, Op.87

From Mozart’s refined elegance to Brahms’ rich romantic textures and Mendelssohn’s lyrical brilliance, this carefully curated programme offers a beautifully balanced afternoon of chamber music for string quintet.
Join us at Fota House for an afternoon of live music in a stunning heritage setting.

Easter at Fota House
2026-04-03 10:00 - 2026-04-06 16:00
Come and join us for an egg-citing adventure at Fota House’s annual Easter Egg Trail! Hop into the magic of spring and follow the trail through our stunning Gardens, where you’ll meet many characters while hunting for hidden clues.
At the end of the trail, claim your Easter Egg and don’t forget to keep an eye out for the Easter Bunny, who will be spreading joy.
Please note: This event is geared towards children aged 3-10 years but younger children than 3 can also participate. Adults are free of charge.
The trail is a self-guided experience that takes approximately 45 minutes. Suitable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are suggested. While adults are welcome, our actor characters will focus on entertaining the kids.Easter Eggs will be given to ticket holders at the end of the trail!

Fota Plant Fair
2026-04-19 11:00 - 16:00
Celebrate the season at the annual Spring Plant Fair at Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens — a true highlight of the spring gardening calendar in Cork.
This vibrant outdoor event brings together a carefully curated selection of specialist nurseries and expert growers from across Ireland. Discover an exceptional range of plants, from colourful spring-flowering favourites and hardy perennials to shrubs, trees, alpines and rare varieties — perfect for refreshing and revitalising your garden for the season ahead.
Alongside the plants, visitors can browse garden accessories and artisan stalls, enjoy food vendors on site, and seek practical advice from knowledgeable exhibitors throughout the day.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just beginning to grow your own, the Spring Plant Fair offers inspiration, expertise and a wonderful atmosphere to welcome the new gardening year.

Creative Circle with Mindful Tea Day
2026-06-07 11:00 - 13:00 | Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens
Join us for another Mindful Tea Creative Circle workshop at Fota House. A relaxed and welcoming gathering designed to nurture creativity and wellbeing through slow rituals and hands-on making.
During the session, you will enjoy a curated tea experience while creating your own handmade bookmarks using simple creative materials and mindful prompts. No artistic experience needed — just a willingness to slow down and enjoy the process.
What to expect:

Guided mindful tea moment
Calm creative atmosphere at the Library, Fota House & Gardens
Bookmark making session
Gentle conversation & connection
All materials provided

Perfect for anyone seeking a softer Sunday centred around creativity, mindfulness, and intentional rest.

Cork Shakespearean Company presents Shakespeare in the Gardens
2026-06-11 17:00 - 2026-06-12 20:00 | Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens
Cork Shakespearean Company presents Shakespeare in the Gardens

Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th July 2026

This summer, Cork Shakespearean Company — one of Ireland’s oldest and most beloved theatre companies — brings Shakespeare to life at Fota Arboretum.
Shakespeare in the Gardens is an intimate promenade theatre experience set entirely within the grounds of Fota House & Gardens. Audiences of 25 people at a time move together through the arboretum, discovering six Shakespeare scenes performed in six remarkable natural locations — from the ancient moss-covered rock garden to the enchanted pine cones and the breath taking gravel approach to the Orangerie.
There is no stage. No set. No amplification. The gardens themselves are the production design.
Featuring scenes from Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Measure for Measure and The Merry Wives of Windsor, the programme offers something for everyone — dark, funny, romantic, magical and alive in the open air.

The full experience lasts approximately 110 minutes.

What to Expect

Move through the gardens as a group of 25 people, guided by volunteers

Discover a Shakespeare scene in each of six extraordinary natural locations

No seats, no stage, no set – just Shakespeare and the landscape

An experience that lasts approximately 110 minutes from start to finish

Suitable for all ages and all levels of Shakespeare experience

Date: Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th July 2026
Performance times: 5:00pm, 5:30pm, 6:00pm and 6:30pm both evenings
Ticket price: €25 per person
Capacity: Strictly limited to 25 people per group

Early booking strongly advised.

Please wear appropriate footwear and be mindful of the grounds. The event takes place on natural outdoor terrain.

Shakespeare in the Gardens is produced by Cork Shakespearean Company (The Loft), founded 1924, in association with Fota House & Gardens.

The CRITICAL Car Show
2026-06-28 11:00 - 17:00 | Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens
The Critical Car Show takes place on Sunday 28th June from 11am to 5pm with entry by donation.
The event will feature special vehicle displays, family friendly activities and raffles with great prizes!
On the day you will also have the chance to meet local emergency services and CRITICAL volunteers, and learn vital CPR and lifesaving skills.
All proceeds will go directly towards supporting CRITICAL’s lifesaving work. For more information on the charity and their work visit https://criticalcharity.ie

A Day of Garden Sketching at Fota House with Camilla Fanning
2026-07-04 10:30 - 16:00 | Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens
Discover the joy of sketching in one of Ireland’s most inspiring settings with a relaxed and creative day at Fota House & Gardens. Surrounded by sweeping garden views, historic grounds, and the beautiful arboretum, this workshop invites you to slow down, look closely, and fill your sketchbook with ideas, observations and creative experiments.
Whether you are an experienced artist, a designer, or simply curious about drawing, this fun and welcoming workshop will introduce practical ways to use a sketchbook as a tool for seeing, thinking, and developing ideas. Through guided exercises, demonstrations and outdoor sketching sessions, you’ll learn how to quickly capture atmosphere, movement, colour, and visual impressions directly from the scenery around you.
Led by artist Camilla Fanning (MFA NCAD, member of Graphic Studio Dublin and Cork Printmakers) the workshop combines practical sketching techniques with a relaxed and enjoyable day immersed in nature and creativity.
What to Expect

Introduction to sketchbook practice and creative observation
Tutor-led demonstrations and guided drawing exercises
Learn “shorthand” sketching techniques for capturing quick impressions
Explore the gardens and arboretum through outdoor sketching sessions
Time for independent sketching and experimentation
Relaxed Show & Tell discussion back in the studio
Ideas for developing sketchbook work into future creative projects

The day also includes morning coffee and lunch, giving participants time to relax, chat, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Fota House & Gardens.
Participants should bring their own sketching materials (a suggested materials list will be provided in advance). Suitable outdoor clothing and comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as we will spend time sketching outdoors throughout the gardens and grounds.
Perfect for anyone looking to develop their creativity, enjoy drawing outdoors and spend a memorable day sketching in a truly inspiring setting.
Date & Time
Date Sat 4th July 2026
Time 10:30am – 4:00pm
Ticket Price €130

Booking: For more information and to book email cjfanning[at]cjfanning.com

Shakespeare in the Gardens
2026-07-11 17:00 - 18:30 | Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens
This summer, Cork Shakespearean Company one of Ireland’s oldest and most beloved theatre companies brings Shakespeare to life at Fota Arboretum.
Shakespeare in the Gardens is an intimate promenade theatre experience set entirely within the grounds of Fota House & Gardens.
Audiences of 25 people at a time move together through the arboretum, discovering six Shakespeare scenes performed in six remarkable spaces from the Victorian Fernery to the breathtaking approach to the Orangerie.
There is no stage. No set. No amplification. The gardens themselves are the production design.
Featuring scenes from Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Measure for Measure and The Merry Wives of Windsor, the programme offers something for everyone dark, funny, romantic, magical and alive in the open air.
The full experience lasts approximately 110 minutes.
What to Expect
Move through the gardens as a group of 25 people, guided by volunteers
Discover a Shakespeare scene in each of six extraordinary natural locations
No seats, no stage, no set – just Shakespeare and the landscape
An experience that lasts approximately 90 minutes from start to finish
Suitable for all ages and all levels of Shakespeare experience
