Caring for Fota’s historic arboretum and gardens means nurturing their biodiversity, as well as respecting their rich history.
Our dedicated team of gardening staff and volunteers at Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens work tirelessly to protect and enhance the rich flora and fauna flourishing in our formal gardens, pleasure grounds and woodlands.
Conserving Habitats for Wildlife
Our choices about planting and structural changes carefully balance respect for the past and our commitment to the future, enhancing sustainability and biodiversity on the Fota Estate.
We also consider wildlife in our building projects and carefully judge how they may impact their habitats. Recently, we undertook a reroofing project, balancing the needs of the house and a colony of Brown Long-eared bats who had made the upper floors their home.
Follow the Fota Bee Trail
Find the 12 stations along Fota’s family-friendly bee trail, and you’ll gain a better understanding of our pollinating friends and the factors that shape how welcome they feel in an Irish garden.
You’ll learn how Fota’s diverse trees and flowers support bees and gather some ideas for your own green spaces too!
A Sanctuary for Bees
In partnership with the Irish Bee Conservation Project (IBCP), we have installed an apiary for the Irish Black Bee on the grounds of Fota House that supports almost 70 bee boxes around Fota Island.
Our aim is to create a Bee Sanctuary of national importance along with related educational programmes for school children and research students.
Wilding Our Ornamental Gardens
Nurturing the biodiversity of Fota’s gardens involves balancing traditional methods and fresh ideas
Many garden tools, from shovels to hoes, have changed little over the centuries. Gardening has always involved passing on skills and understanding from one generation to the next.
Our walled gardens have traditionally been planted with formal bedding, but several are now being stocked with native wildflowers to improve biodiversity.
We are always striving to enrich Fota’s beautiful outdoor spaces, for the benefit of our local community and the enjoyment of our visitors. And our passion for sustainability informs everything we do, from improving biodiversity and food production to our educational work and our extensive volunteering programme.
Our Sustainable Vision
The Irish Heritage Trust cares for and manages Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens on a non-profit basis, and it aims to make it sustainable in financial, environmental and social terms. The Trust strives to:
- Achieve financial stability and independence for our properties, so they can remain open and cared for.
- Improve the natural resilience and diversity of our gardens, woodlands, and estates.
- Contribute to social cohesion and wellbeing through education, our volunteering programme, and community outreach.
- Generate economic and cultural benefits at local and national levels.
All the money raised at Fota House, Aroretum & Gardens goes back into caring for the House, its grounds and other Irish Heritage Trust properties. This ensures that they remain open for all to enjoy forever.
