Private Dining

Fota House was built for entertaining and our luxurious range of luxurious private dining options keep that spirit of welcome alive!

Over the centuries, the Smith-Barry family entertained guests from far and wide who joined them around the dining table at Fota House to enjoy the fantastic food Cork is famed for.

For Every Occasion

Today, we cater for family celebrations, corporate events, friends’ re-unions, and a host of other special occasions where guests enjoy excellent hospitality and the best of Irish produce.

We are delighted to offer a tailor-made private dining service suited for groups large and small, and we have a range of spaces suited to different group sizes. The Grand Entrance Hall is perfect for larger gatherings, while the spacious Drawing Room offers a gorgeous and intimate gilded setting. You can even opt to dine in our picturesque heritage glasshouses, where you’ll be able to enjoy the natural beauty of our lush gardens as you relax and enjoy delicious dishes with your guests.

Formal Banqueting

Our formal banqueting service is perfect for black-tie events, awards ceremonies, corporate events, and special occasions. Why not arrive to a champagne reception held in the Grand Entrance Hall, dine in style in one of our spectacular formal rooms, and take your event photos against elegant and authentic heritage backdrops? A banquet at Fota is an event all your guests will remember!

Buffet Dining

If you’d like to take a more informal approach, without compromising on the quality of the experience, let us prepare a bespoke buffet for your event. A buffet makes an ideal choice for lunches or relaxed evening gatherings hosted in one of our beautifully restored rooms or Victorian glasshouses.

Delicious Hog Roasts

The Smith-Barry family included a roasting spit in the original kitchen at Fota House, and we haven’t let the tradition lapse. Our hog roasts are a real talking (and eating) point! They make a wonderful, informal dining option when you are organising relaxed outdoor occasions, corporate events, or family gatherings.

Gather Outside

Picnics on the lawn, summer barbecues, and our delicious hog roasts are just some of the outdoor event and special occasion dining options you can choose from at Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens. Or, why not dine almost al fresco in our beautifully restored Victorian glasshouse?