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Fota Arboretum & Gardens tel: 00353 21 4812728 Area: Republic of Ireland |
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| Visitor Information | www.heritageireland.ie -- email: info {at} fotahouse.com |
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Fota Arboretum & Gardens |
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| Opening Days and Hours | ||||||
All year, except Christmas Holidays: |
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| Parties
/ Coaches: Yes |
Groups
/ Coaches need Appointment: Yes Guided tours by prior arrangement Mon - Fri, a charge is made. |
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House
Open for Viewing: Yes |
National
Garden Scheme days: No |
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Best
Times of Year to Visit: Mar - Oct |
To
see: Spring flowers, magnolias, camellias, bulbs. Summer roses Autumn colours Many examples of fine specimen trees. |
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| Admission Prices | ||||||
| Garden & Arboretum: Free House: Adult: €6.00; Child: €3.00; Senior Citizens/Students: €4.00 Group: (15+) €4.00; Family (2 adults +2 children): €15.00 |
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| Onsite Facilities | ||||||
| Parking:
Yes Lavatories: Yes Disabled Access: Yes |
Shop:
No Plants for Sale: No Lunches: No |
Teas:
No Light Refreshment: No Picnics: Yes |
Dogs
Allowed: Yes On Lead only: Yes Special Events: Yes |
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| Other
Facilities: Light Refreshments are provided by Fota House (run independently by Fota Trust). Parking Euros 2 |
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| Garden Features | ||||||
| English Heritage Garden Grade: | ||||||
| National Collection: | ||||||
| Description of Garden | Designer:
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| Located in the sheltered harbour of Cork, the 27-acre Fota Arboretum and Gardens are of international importance, containing one of the finest collections of rare and tender trees and shrubs grown outdoors in Ireland and Britain. In addition to the large number of exotic and tender trees and plants, Fota contains many hardy specimens, although this was not known at the time of their introduction. James Hugh Smith-Barry laid out the Arboretum with generous spacing as in parkland so that the trees have been able to reach their full potential. An exceptional collection of 130 species of conifers from 26 genera contains some of the finest specimens of Pine, Cypress and Sequoia to be found in Europe. There is also a good collection of broadleaf trees including Acers, Nothofagus, Ilex, Eucalyptus, Magnolia and Acacia and rare shrubs, such as Pieris, Enkianthus, Rhododendron, Camellia, Myrtus and Viburnum which have thrived in the mild climate. The Victorian Fernery contains many fine specimens, especially the Tasmanian Tree Ferns planted in the late 1800's. The Walled gardens contain an exceptional rose collection and the walls display a large variety of climbers collected with the assistance of the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin from the warm temperate regions of the world. The walled pleasure gardens near Fota House, currently being restored, contain many formal features such as yew hedges, sunken Italian gardens, a classical summerhouse, herbaceous borders and a rose garden. About 150 metres from the House is the fully restored Orangery, with its magnificent glass roof, dating from the mid-19th century and beside it an exceptional specimen of the Canary Islands Date Palm. |
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| History of Garden | ||||||
| Fota Island, 316 ha in area and about 12km east of Cork City was originally owned by the Smith-Barry family, first records of which date from soon after the Norman Conquest when their ancestor Philip de Barri was granted lands in South Cork by Henry II. A manor was established at Barryscourt and the family seat became Barryscourt Castle, a 15th century fortified house 3km from Fota. The Smith-Barry family decided to enlarge the hunting lodge on Fota Island in the early 19th century and Sir Richard Morrison, one of Ireland's foremost architects, transformed it into a splendid example of Regency architecture containing some of the finest neo-classical interiors found in Ireland. The favourable Gulf Stream-influenced climate, favouring the growth of tender plants, was recognised in the early 19th century and successive generations of the Smith-Barry family laid out and developed the gardens and introduced many exotic species from plant collectors working in Asia, Australasia, and North and South America. After the death of the last resident member of the family, Mrs Bell in 1975, the gardens were acquired by University College, Cork, who considerably extended the Arboretum. After fifteen years they sold the estate to a development company, but subsequently the Arboretum & Gardens, along with the House, were leased to Fota Trust. In 1996 they were transferred to state ownership and came under the care and management of Duchas - The Heritage Service. Duchas continued the policy of planting exotic trees and shrubs until recently when the property transferred to the Office of Public Works (OPW). |
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| Nearby Republic of Ireland Hotels, Facilities & Amenities | ||||||
| Hotels
& Accommodation: |
Restaurants: |
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| Inns & Pubs: |
Villages / Towns
/ Sightseeing: Cobh Midleton |
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*Information
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0228_Fota.jpg - Fota Arboretum & Gardens (Republic of Ireland)
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