Fota Island

Located within Cork Harbour, Fota Island is host to the historical Fota House and gardens, and Ireland’s only wildlife park.

Fota House, Co. Cork

An orangery in the pleasure grounds of Fota House in County Cork.

Image courtesy of Kevin Mulligan

Fota House, Co. Cork
Image courtesy of Kevin Mulligan

Fota House, Co. Cork

An orangery in the pleasure grounds of Fota House in County Cork.

Image courtesy of Kevin Mulligan

Enlarge image

Fota House was built in the 18^th century. It was restored and opened to the public in 2002 and is now under care of the Irish Heritage Trust. The gardens that surround Fota House, which were laid out by James Hugh Smith-Barry in the early 19^th century, contain a world-renowned collection of trees and shrubs.

The entire area extends over 27 acres, and features such as an ornamental pond, Italian and walled gardens, an extensive rose garden, and a structured arboretum add to the beauty and tranquillity of the surroundings.

The extensive collection boasts many rare trees and shrubs from subtropical regions of the world, such as Australia, The Himalayas, Japan and North America, as well as our own native Irish species. The mild and sheltered climate of Fota Island allows these plants to flourish.

Some of the most notable plants include a Lebanese cedar, spruces, silver firs, a Drimys winteri (from the Andes ) and a Magnolia grandiflora. The most famous tree is a 75ft M. campbellii that was planted in 1872.

Fota Wildlife Park

Fota Wildlife Park was established in 1983 and is one of the most modern wildlife parks in Europe. The principal aim of the park is the conservation of global wildlife. The open, natural environment that Fota Wildlife Park provides allows the animals to thrive in the 70 acres of countryside.

 

Red Panda

Courtesy of Fota Wildlife Park

Red Panda
Courtesy of Fota Wildlife Park

Red Panda

Courtesy of Fota Wildlife Park

Enlarge image

Gibbon

Courtesy of Fota Wildlife Park

Gibbon
Courtesy of Fota Wildlife Park

Gibbon

Courtesy of Fota Wildlife Park

Enlarge image

Seventy species of animals from all the continents of the world inhabit the Fota Wildlife Park. The variety of animal species ranges from the pink flamingo that usually roams in the temperate climate of South American countries, to the Red Panda that is native to Asia. Other animals include giraffes, kangaroos, zebras, capybaras, Emus, lemurs and monkeys.

Cheetah
Courtesy of Fota Wildlife Park

Many of the animals that inhabit the park are under threat of extinction. The cheetah, for example, is a usual inhabitant of grasslands in eastern and southern Africa. However, the numbers of cheetahs living in their natural environment is quite low and so the species is considered endangered. The Fota Wildlife Park is one of the main breeders of cheetahs in the world.