Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens

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About Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens

The House

Immerse yourself in the charms of this elegant Regency House- home to the Smith Barrys for centuries. Fota House was redesigned in the 1820′s by John ‘The Magnificent’ Smith Barry as a splendid setting for his sumptuous entertainments.

Today you can hear Fota’s legendary stories for yourself with guided tours led by a team of volunteers, whose passion for heritage is contagious! Our guides will show you the grand décor of the principle rooms and take you behind the scenes to the exquisite boudoir and charming Victorian nursery. A special feature is our service wing, where you can experience what life was like for the cooks, butlers, footmen and maids who supported the lavish lifestyle of the gentry.

The Gardens
Enjoy the tranquil beauty of Fota’s gardens and stroll in the historic ‘pleasure grounds’ that continue to offer delights for visitors today.Experience the heavenly rose garden and explore the arboretum where you will discover a host of rare and majestic trees. A key feature of our recent restoration programme is the Victorian kitchen garden, now one of the finest in the country.Our team of volunteers proudly nurture organic produce using the methods handed down from the gardeners who once worked this stunning walled garden. And for something a little different visit the atmospheric fernery with its exotic tree ferns. Grounds of the  Arboretum & Gardens  are maintained by the Office Of Public Works (OPW).

Event Hire
Fota House is an exclusive and historic venue that boasts beautifully proportioned rooms and exquisite plasterwork. Set amidst rolling parkland and situated 7km from Cork City this venue is easily accessed by car and train and offers a truly unique setting for meetings and events. To plan a bespoke event at Fota house please contact Áine Ryan our events coordinator at a.ryan@irishheritagetrust.ie

There are three tours daily at 12:30, 14:00 and 15:30. Our tours are led by our volunteer team, who share their passion for this special place seven days a week from March to October.

Please see our website for more details of opening times and a programme of activities and events

Find us!

Fota House is situated on Fota Island.
To get to Fota Island take the N25 east from Cork City for about 7 km and exit the N25 at Junction 3 (signposted Cobh).
Take the R624 for approximately 2.5 km and Fota House is on the right hand side.
Parking is available at €3 for the day.
There is a frequent train service from Cork City and Cobh to Fota train station

Fota House is owned by the Irish Heritage Trust, a registered charity.

Find your way

Where it is

Stay a little longer

Make a day of it

Ring of Cork Heritage Trail Spike Island The Queenstown Story, Cobh SailCork, Cobh