Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens

About

Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens is famous for its magnificent Regency period house, beautiful formal gardens and world renowned arboretum. It is located 12km east of Cork City on the northern shore of Cork Harbour, adjacent to Cobh. Fota House was built by the Smith Barry family and was redesigned by John "The Magnificent" Smith Barry in the 1820’s. 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 principle rooms with their exquisite decor. 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 lifestyles of the gentry. Experience the 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 Frameyard Garden, now one of the finest in the country. Visitors can also enjoy top class food in the cafe and browse in the gift shop, Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens is a charitable organisation and is managed by the Irish Heritage Trust. Our high season is from April to September, when the house is open for public tours. A guided tour of the house is €8 per person.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes