Fota Gardens and Arboretum

Located in the sheltered harbour of Cork, 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.

The name "Fota" is derived from the Irish "Fód te" meaning warm soil and it is this very quality which enables the cultivation of tender and exotic plants which might not otherwise be grown in this country. Many of these specimens were introduced from Asia, Australia and the Americas during the 19th century. By the early 19th century, James Hugh Smith-Barry had already started on the layout of the gardens at Fota, building the terraces and high walls and "beginning to convert field, wood and swamp into Arboretum, water, gardens and semi-tropical jungle." His son, Arthur Hugh Smith-Barry and in turn his daughter Dorothy Bell continued this tradition of planting rare and exotic trees. Following the death of Mrs. Bell in 1975, University College Cork, having purchased Fota Estate, carried out extensive work to the Arboretum and woodlands. In 1990, 47 hectares of parkland including Fota House, Gardens and Arboretum were leased to Fota Trust Company. Fota Arboretum and Gardens were transferred to the State in 1996. They are now in the care of the Office of Public Works.

Arboretum

Fota Arboretum is now of international importance, its reputation deriving from the diversity of planting and from its collection of exotic specimens from all over the world. John Smith-Barry showed considerable foresight in the initial planting, as the trees are well spaced, usually as single specimens in a park-like setting. This generous spacing has enabled the trees to thrive and affords today's visitor the opportunity to appreciate each tree in isolation. The careful records of planting kept by the Smith-Barry family, are to be found in many important works of reference on dendrology. The seasonal displays of colour throughout the Arboretum make a visit at any time of year, both gratifying and always surprising.

Broadleaf Trees

At Fota you will find a general collection of broadleaf genera, including Acer, Aesculus, Eucalyptus, Ilex, Magnolia, Nothofagus and Acacia.

The Conifers

Fota Arboretum contains some 130 species and genera of conifers, comprising a truly exceptional collection. Amongst these one can find Pinus, Picea, Cupressus, Cryptomeria, Abies, Sequoia and Sequoidendron. Many of these specimens were amongst the first to be planted in Europe.

Shrubs

Fota is recognised for its large collection of shrubs native to both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. These include Pieris, Drimys, Enkianthus, Pittosporum, Camelia and Viburnum.

The Victorian Fernery

South west of Fota House, the rockery contains many fine fern specimens. The most notable are the Tasmanian tree ferns planted in the late 1800's.

Walled Gardens

The large Walled Garden contains an exceptional rose collection, extensive borders of monocots (bulbs, grasses, etc.) including Agapanthus, Crocosmia, Kniphofia, Phormium and 163 varieties of Irish-bred narcissi. The walls support a climber collection from warm temperate regions of the world, assembled with the assistance of the National Botanical Gardens, Glasnevin. The walled Italian Garden adjacent to Fota House, presently under restoration, contains many formal features including Yew hedges, sunken gardens, a classical summerhouse, herbaceous borders and a formal rose garden.

The Orangerie

Located some 150 metres east of the house is the fully restored Orangerie. This magnificent building dates from the mid 19th century. Here were housed truly exotic and tender plants including lemon and orange trees, a luxury at the time. Alongside the Orangerie you will find an exceptional specimen of the Canary Islands Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis). Click here to see before and after restoration pictures in a new window.