When the Irish Heritage Trust, a non-profit organisation, began caring for Fota House and its estate on Fota Island in 2007, special care and attention was needed.
Unique original features were at risk when the Trust took ownership of Fota House, including its impressive glasshouses and the Victorian Working Garden which had once kept the staff busy and its residents well-fed!
Today, Fota House is one of Ireland’s great houses, home to a nationally significant collection of paintings, a beautifully restored arboretum and gardens, and an award-winning volunteering programme.
Restoring Fota House & Gardens
Over the years, the Irish Heritage Trust has undertaken an extensive programme of restoration, made possible thanks to the support of the Irish government, and other agencies including local authorities and the Office of Public Works.
The work carried out by our Irish Heritage Trust staff, heritage experts, skilled craftspeople, and our amazing volunteers has allowed us to open up Fota House and its gardens to the public to be enjoyed.
Fota’s previously derelict rooms and neglected gardens are now gorgeous spaces where visitors can gain an authentic sense of what life was like for everyone who lived and worked in this Regency mansion and across the Fota Estate.
Our efforts led to Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens being granted museum status by the Heritage Council under the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland in recognition of the ongoing care given to conservation and visitor experience development. This status was renewed in 2020.
Practical Improvements
In the early years, work was required to improve parking facilities, accessibility, and interpretation for visitors to Fota House. Fáilte Ireland – Ireland’s national tourism authority – partnered with the Irish Heritage Trust to support this work.
Another key restoration project undertaken was in the walled garden or frameyard, where Fota’s derelict glasshouses were restored to their former glory. Conservation and restoration work has continued across Fota House and the Estate. In 2024 an extensive reroofing project was undertaken while balancing the functional needs of the house with environmental sustainability considerations.
All revenues generated at Fota are ploughed back into the historic property to support its financial independence, its environmental sustainability, and its roles in heritage, education, and community outreach.
Plans for the Future
Through major funding programmes, partnerships and philanthropy, the Trust continues to carry out further work to conserve Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens and enhance the visitor experience we offer, as well as expanding our popular events programme.
We are continuing to invest in projects such as the restoration of Fota’s impressive art collection and efforts to establish our grounds as a Bee Sanctuary of national importance. We also want to continue to enhance Fota’s remarkable gardens and glasshouses, as an amenity for locals and visitors and as an educational resource.
Our aim is to fulfil the potential of Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens as a local amenity, a national asset, and an international resource for learning about Irish heritage, culture, biodiversity, and sustainability.
We are keen to explore partnerships and funding opportunities which may serve the wider community; the Trust’s volunteering initiatives; our education, gardening, and biodiversity work; and the Fota visitor experience.
To find out more about partnering with Fota House Arboretum & Gardens, contact Bryan Murphy on 021 4815543 or email b.murphy@irishheritagetrust.ie
