Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens
Teach Fhóta
A Regency-style country house beside a century-old arboretum, with a tour of the servants' quarters and lavish reception rooms; the gardens are free to visit.
Fota House was originally a hunting lodge for the Smith-Barry family. It was extended in the early 19th century into a Regency-style country house, with fine plasterwork ceilings, a marble hall, and a well-preserved servants' kitchen area. The neighboring arboretum and Victorian glasshouses hold rare tree species from around the world, and camellias and magnolias bloom in spring. A guided tour of the house costs about 10 euros and runs roughly 10:00 to 17:00. The gardens and arboretum are free to enter. Fota House is next to Fota Wildlife Park, so the two can be visited on the same day.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–17:00 (garden free)
Nearby sights
- Fota Wildlife Park
- Cobh
- St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh
- Titanic Experience Cobh
- Cobh Heritage Centre – The Queenstown Story
- Spike Island
- Blackrock Castle Observatory
- Jameson Distillery Midleton