Family Fun at Fota
28 February 2008: The Irish Heritage Trust today launched ‘Family Fun at Fota’ - an exciting discovery and educational programme for children which will take place at Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens from March to September this year.
Family Fun at Fota will focus on heritage education for children and is being generously supported by the Heritage Council with a grant under the 2008 Local Heritage Grant Scheme.
Starting with an Easter Egg Trail on Easter Saturday and culminating in an art competition during Heritage Week in late August, children can learn about cultural heritage in their local community and will be encouraged to develop an appetite for caring for heritage at an early age.
“Fota is a special place and it’s important for the Trust that everyone has the chance to come and enjoy discovering what it has to offer.” said Kevin Baird, CEO of the Irish Heritage Trust. “Whether children are cooking in the wonderfully restored kitchen and scullery, telling stories or potting plants, we want to give them memorable days out with their families and the chance to learn about the significance of Fota and heritage in general,” he added.
The programme of events encourages discovery and active participation. “Cooking in the Past” in the old kitchen with local food historian Regina Sexton will involve children cooking and tasting a number of 19th century dishes. “KinderGardening” and “Tree Trails” with enthusiastic ecologist Dale Treadwell will involve planting wildflower seeds, potting oak seedlings and tree bark rubbing activities.
Entertaining storyteller Seán O’Laoghaire will transport children’s imaginations back to the time of Fota’s early days and bring these stories to life. Seán will then lead art workshops where children will prepare their entries for the Art Competition which takes place during Heritage Week. The Art Competition is open to local primary and secondary schools - children are invited to enter art which depicts their interpretation of Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens. The art will be exhibited at Fota House during Heritage Week from 29th August – 1st September and photos of the winners’ artwork will be published on the Irish Heritage Trust Website.
These events are suitable for 7-12 year olds and parents are encouraged to participate.
The Easter Egg Trail on Saturday 22nd March and Heritage Discovery Trail to be launched on Saturday 24th May are open to children of all ages.
Full details of events are available on the Irish Heritage Trust website http://www.irishheritagetrust.ie/. Advance booking is essential for all events. For bookings, call Fota House 021 481 5543.
The Irish Heritage Trust, a charity, was launched in 2006 and is acquiring, through negotiation and tax incentives, historic properties, houses and gardens that will be open for everyone's enjoyment forever. It is hoped that these special places will be full of life and activity where people from near or far can have a memorable experience through relaxation, rejuvenation, education or participation.
The Irish Heritage Trust took over responsibility for Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens on 20th December 2007. Education, volunteering and engaging with local communities are key objectives of the Trust and one of its first priorities at Fota is to broaden the visitor profile to this valuable cultural learning resource – particularly the younger generation.
For more information, please contact Charlotte O'Connor, Irish Heritage Trust 01-475 0085 / charlotte@irishheritagetrust.ie. Advance booking is essential for all events. For bookings, call Fota House 021 481 5543.
EASTER EGG TRAIL
Saturday 22 March
11.00am – 4.00pm
All ages / €5 per child
Children can enjoy this themed self-guided walk around the arboretum and gardens. Large decorated eggs will be placed throughout the gardens with clues on the back of each egg. Prizes of chocolate eggs will be given to all who complete the Trail. Parental participation requested.
COOKING IN THE PAST
With Regina Sexton
Saturday 12th April & Saturday 30th August
11.00am – 1.00pm & 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Ages 7-12 / €10 per child
Food historian Regina Sexton will introduce children to the ideas of how food was prepared and cooked in the early 19th century in Fota’s fantastically restored kitchen, scullery and game larder. They will cook and taste a number of dishes authentic to the period. Numbers limited. Parents requested to remain on the property.
KINDERGARDENING
With Dale Treadwell
Saturday 3rd May
11.00am – 1.00pm & 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Ages 7-12 / €10 per child
Children discover Fota’s gardens with enthusiastic ecologist Dale Treadwell and learn how the gardens developed over the years. Dale will tell his brilliant “Harry Hedgehog” story and will show children how to sow their very own wildflower seeds to bring home. Parental participation recommended.
HERITAGE DISCOVERY TRAIL
Saturday 24th May
11.00am – 4.00pm
All ages / €5 per child
Launch of the new 'Fota Heritage Discovery Trail' colour booklet. Focusing on the unique characteristics and quirks of the property, this Discovery Trail is an educational and fun way for families to learn about the House, Arboretum & Gardens. Prizes for everyone who complete the Trail. Parental participation requested.
CARING FOR THE BIG HOUSE
With Seán O’Laoghaire
Saturday 7th June
11.00am – 1.00pm & 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Ages 7-12 / €10 per child
Storyteller Seán O’Laoghaire will bring children around the property by telling fascinating stories about how it was built and saved over the years thus helping them to develop an awareness and appreciation of Fota and saving heritage. Parental participation recommended.
TREE TRAIL
With Dale Treadwell
Saturday 28th June
11.00am – 1.00pm & 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Ages 7-12 / €10 per child
Children take a walk in Fota Arboretum & Gardens with ecologist Dale Treadwell and learn about the exotic species of trees at Fota by identifying leaves and taking bark rubbings. Parental participation recommended.
STORYTELLING & ART WORKSHOP
With Seán O’Laoghaire
Saturday 19th July & Saturday 9th August
11.00am – 1.00pm & 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Ages 7-12 / €10 per child
Entertaining storyteller Seán O’Laoghaire will transport children’s imaginations back to the time of Fota’s early days and bring these stories to life. The storytelling will be followed by a workshop where children and parents will work with Seán to prepare an artistic response to the stories and make their entries for the Heritage Week Art Competition by producing a piece of art which depicts their interpretation of Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens. Parental participation requested.
Friday 29th August – Monday 1st September
Heritage Week Art Competition
Your View of Fota House / Your Piece of Fota House
Children from primary and secondary schools are invited to enter the Fota Art Exhibition and Competition. Entries from children who attended workshops with Seán O’Laoghaire will also be included. All entries will be displayed at Fota House for four days during Heritage week. Winners’ art will be published on the Irish Heritage Trust website. No booking required. See website for information about entering competition.
Bookings essential - Download the booking form or phone Fota House 021 481 5543
www.irishheritagetrust.ie
How to get to Fota House
Fota House is situated on Fota Island which is 10km east of Cork City. To get to Fota Island take the N25 east from Cork City for about 7km and then exit the N25 heading for Cobh/Carrigtwohill on the R624. Fota Island is about 2.5km on the right. Follow the signs to Fota House.
Fota Island can also be reached by train. The journey from Cork takes only fifteen minutes. Train timetables can be found online on www.irishrail.ie
