History
Ireland's Wildest Attraction, Fota Wildlife Park was opened in 1983 by the President of Ireland, Dr. Patrick Hillery, and is a joint project of the Zoological Society of Ireland and University College Cork. Fota Wildlife Park Ltd. is a non-profit organisation limited by guarantee, and is a registered charity. Any financial surpluses that the Park generates are reinvested in order to promote the company’s objectives of conservation, education and research. The park is currently one of the top ten visitor attractions in Ireland (CSO 2008).
Did you know?
Fota Island was the former home of the Smith-Barry family, descendants of Phillip de Barry who came to Ireland from Wales with the Norman invasion. He was granted Fota and other lands in 1185. The family first resided at Barryscourt Castle, Carrigtwohill, then at Castlelyons where they held extensive lands. Fota House was originally a hunting lodge and became the family's main residence in the 1820s when the architect, Sir Richard Morrison, created the present regency mansion. The estate was sold to University College Cork in 1975. Fota House is managed by Fota Trust Ltd. and the gardens and arboretum are managed by the Office of Public Works. The rest of the island is owned by the Fleming Group and includes a championship standard golf course & hotel. The Irish Open was held in Fota in 2001 and 2002.
To find out what the island has to offer visit www.visitfota.com
