Fota House & Gardens

29/05/2026

29/05/2026

Ever wondered what takes place at Fota House while the doors are closed for the winter season?

Alongside conservation work, careful care of the collections and preparations for our seasonal events the House occasionally becomes a setting for film and television productions, with historic interiors transformed for the screen.

This Bank Holiday weekend, RTÉ One’s new programme Museum of Me airs on Sunday evening at 8.30pm. The series explores the personal objects people choose to represent their lives, memories, and experiences revealing the stories and emotional connections attached to the items they value most.

Filming for the programme took place within the Grand Hallway at Fota House. Designed to create a lasting first impression for arriving guests, the space continues to provide a striking backdrop for contemporary storytelling nearly two centuries later.

We were delighted to welcome the production to Fota House and look forward to watching the programme this Sunday evening.

26/05/2026

One of the most enjoyable ways to arrive at Fota is by train.

Fota’s connection to the railway dates back to the 19th century. In 1862, the Smith Barry family permitted the railway line to pass through the estate, with an original private stop created for the family’s own use. The station later opened publicly in 1865, becoming part of the growing rail connection between Cork and Cobh and shaping how generations of visitors would arrive at Fota.

For many, the approach by rail remains part of the experience itself the gradual transition from city to woodland and estate landscape offering a quieter sense of arrival before visitors even step through the doors of the House.

Whether arriving for a guided tour, a walk in the gardens, browsing the Long Gallery gift shop, enjoying coffee and light refreshments in the café, spending time outdoors with a picnic or a book, or simply taking in the atmosphere of the property, the experience of Fota often begins long before reaching the front door of the House.

Because some places are best approached at a slower pace.

25/05/2026

At Fota House, we understand that some visitors may require a little extra patience, understanding, or support during their visit.

We are proud to welcome JAM Card users at Fota House and Gardens.

The JAM Card standing for “Just A Minute” is designed to help people communicate that they may need additional time or assistance in a simple and discreet way. Whether visiting the café, joining a guided tour or spending time within the gardens, our team will always do their best to ensure visitors feel welcomed and supported.

Because heritage should be accessible, comfortable, and welcoming for everyone.

24/05/2026

With the sunshine finally making an appearance, there is no better time to visit Fota House and Gardens.

From walks through the arboretum and Victorian Working Gardens to time spent exploring the historic interiors of the House, Fota offers visitors an opportunity to slow down and experience the estate at its most vibrant.

Visitors can enjoy coffee and light refreshments in the café, browse the Long Gallery retail space featuring local makers and artisan gifts, or simply spend time outdoors as the gardens and arboretum continue to flourish through the summer months.

Whether visiting for a guided tour, an afternoon outdoors, or a quieter moment within the gardens, Fota House offers space to slow down and enjoy the estate at an unhurried pace.

22/05/2026

As part of National Volunteer Week, today at Fota House we were delighted to welcome our CEO Anne O’Donoghue for a visit to the property, where she had the opportunity to meet with some of the volunteers whose work contributes so much to the daily life of Fota House and Gardens.

From the Victorian Working Gardens and orchard to guided tours, collection care, car park maintenance and events, volunteers continue to play an important role across every aspect of the property. Their knowledge, time, and dedication help ensure that Fota House remains not only a preserved historic property, but a place that continues to be actively cared for and shared with visitors each day.

This week reminds us that heritage depends not only on historic buildings and collections, but also on the people who dedicate their time and care to sustaining them for future generations.

We are enormously grateful to all of our volunteers for the contribution they continue to make to Fota House and the wider work of the Irish Heritage Trust.

20/05/2026

For National Volunteer Week, we want to recognise the invaluable contribution made by the volunteers of Fota House and Gardens.

Across every part of the property, volunteers contribute their time, knowledge, and care in ways that help shape the daily life of Fota. From welcoming visitors on guided tours to assisting with collection care, car park maintenance, supporting events, working within the Victorian Working Gardens, and helping care for the orchard, their dedication plays an important role in preserving and sharing this historic place.

Volunteers bring not only practical support, but also warmth, enthusiasm, and a deep sense of connection to the House and Gardens. Their work helps ensure that visitors continue to experience Fota House not simply as a historic property, but as a place that remains active, welcoming, and cared for.

As part of the Irish Heritage Trust, the continued support of volunteers at Fota and at our sister properties is an important part of protecting and sustaining heritage sites for future generations.

If you are interested in volunteering at Fota, please get in touch with our Volunteer Coordinator, Martina Carroll, who would be delighted to discuss the available opportunities with you.

18/05/2026

On International Museum Day, we would like to highlight a particularly special piece from the Fota House collection the late 18th century Barry Family Coat of Arms, also known as a hatchment, which hangs within the Study.

Original to the historic collections of Fota House, the hatchment is painted in oil on a timber panel measuring a compact 550 x 570mm. Though modest in scale, the piece offers an important connection to the Barry family and the history of the House itself.

Recent conservation work carried out by Laffan Restoration included repairs to the timber panel, the careful removal of surface residue, and the removal of a darkened varnish layer applied during the object’s lifetime. Over time, the ageing varnish had significantly altered the appearance of the original paint beneath.

Evidence of old bitumen within the paint surface had also caused areas of scarring and cracking, which were treated with great care and sensitivity. Structural repairs to the frame were completed, and the piece was stabilised for display.

The conservation process revealed a remarkable difference in the vibrancy and colour of the original paintwork, allowing details of the hatchment to be appreciated once again.

We are extremely grateful to Justin and Katie Laffan for their skill, care, and attention to detail throughout the project.

The conservation and care of the Fota House collection remains an important part of preserving the history of the House, ensuring these objects and stories can continue to be experienced by future generations.

17/05/2026

The grand rooms of Fota House tell only part of the story.

Behind the formal entertaining spaces and elegant interiors were the people whose daily work kept the house running from early morning preparing fires to countless daily routines that shaped life below stairs.

These bedrooms offer a glimpse into that quieter side of the house. The maid’s room, modest and practical, reflects the demanding daily lives of the female staff who supported the household. Nearby, the butler’s bedroom speaks to a very different role. As the only male servant to live within the house itself, the butler held a position of responsibility and trust at the centre of household life.

Today, these spaces help visitors understand not only how Fota House looked, but how it functioned revealing the human stories woven through every floor of the house.

Join one of our daily guided tours at 12pm & 2pm and discover the lives, routines, and hidden histories that shaped Fota House behind the scenes.

13/05/2026

As part of National Bike Week, visitors are encouraged to enjoy a slower visit to Fota House by arriving by bicycle.

With bicycle racks available beside the House, it’s easy to stop by for a walk through the grounds, a visit to the Victorian Working Gardens, or simply a coffee and quiet moment outdoors beside the Long Gallery.

Whether visiting for a guided tour, time in the gardens, or a relaxed afternoon on the estate, cycling to Fota House offers another way to experience the surroundings at an unhurried pace.

We look forward to welcoming visitors throughout National Bike Week.