Fota House & Gardens Reopens After €2.2 Million Conservation Project

• East Cork's finest Regency mansion welcomes visitors back following extensive four-year restoration programme

Fota House & Gardens has reopened its doors to the public following the completion of a major €2.2 million conservation project that has transformed one of Ireland's most treasured historic estates. The extensive four-year programme, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, has restored the 19th-century mansion's structural integrity whilst revitalising its stunning Regency interiors.

The comprehensive restoration work has included crucial roof repairs, the conservation of the remarkable McCarthy 19th-century landscape art collection, and enhancement of the property's acclaimed gardens and arboretum. Located in East Cork, the estate offers visitors a unique glimpse into Irish social history through its magnificently preserved rooms and grounds.

Bryan Murphy, Irish Heritage Trust General Manager at Fota House & Gardens, said:

"Fota House & Gardens is an evolving story. In recent years, we've completed major conservation works from restoring the main roof and Regency interiors to conserving the McCarthy 19th-century landscape art collection. These projects protect Fota's rich heritage while enhancing the visitor experience."

The property, which has been under the stewardship of the Irish Heritage Trust since 2007, continues to reveal fascinating stories of the Smith-Barry family who called Fota home for over 175 years. Guided tours take visitors through more than seventy rooms, from grand neoclassical reception halls to intimate nurseries and below-stairs quarters that offer rare insights into domestic life of the era.

The estate's gardens are currently in full bloom, providing the perfect backdrop for the summer and autumn seasons. The restored Victorian Working Garden and glasshouses, which had fallen into decline, now flourish once again thanks to the Trust's thriving volunteering programme. The nationally important arboretum showcases rare botanical species and historic gardening practices.

Visitors can enjoy refreshments at 'The Food Club' café or browse the gift shop featuring works by local Cork artists and craftspeople. The estate has also planned an exciting calendar of seasonal events including art exhibitions, courses, outdoor movie screenings, Halloween festivities, and the popular 'Magic of Santa' and Wonderlights celebrations.

Fota House holds Museum Accreditation by the Heritage Council's Museum Standards Programme for Ireland, recognising the exceptional care delivered by the Irish Heritage Trust. The celebrated landscape art collection by Ashford, Fisher and Roberts is displayed in its original 19th-century setting throughout the house.

Guided tours run daily at 12pm and 2pm from mid-March to the end of September, with an additional 3:30pm tour during July and August. Weekend-only tours operate from mid-February to mid-March and throughout October. Adult tickets are priced at €13, children at €6.50, with family tickets for two adults and three children at €35.

Victorian Garden tours take place on Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:30pm, priced at €10 for adults, €8 for seniors and students, and €5 for children. Group visits can be arranged outside scheduled times by contacting info@fotahouse.com.

For more information, visit www.fotahouse.com, call +353 21 481 5543 or email info@fotahouse.com.