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Fota Island is a small island in Cork harbour, Ireland, just north of the larger island of Cóbh. It is host to Ireland's only wildlife park - as well as the historical Fota House with ornamental gardens and an 18-hole golf course. The island lies just off the N25 road from Cork to Waterford.
Fota Wildlife Park
Established in 1983 with the primary aim of conservation of global wildlife Fota Wildlife Park has more than 70 species of exotic wildlife in open natural surroundings. The animals who live there include ostriches, giraffes, kangaroos, zebras and antelope. Just about all of the animals who habitate the island are allowed to roam throughout more than 50 acres (202,000 m²) of mature grassland, with the exception of the cheetahs and other predators, which have strongly fenced enclosures.
A lot of the animals at Fota are under serious threat of extinction. The cheetah is an example of this. There are only 10,000 cheetahs in their natural habitat. Fota Wildlife Park is the leading breeder worldwide for this endangered species, as well as being a source of many other zoo animals around the world.
Fota House and Gardens The 18th century Fota House was built and altered in various stages until the end of the 19th century. During the latter part of the last century, the house fell into some disrepair - culminating in the collapse of a ceiling. This closed the house to the public for some time. It was restored using EU, Irish government and private funding, prior to reopening in early 2002. The house is a magnificent building, with over 70 rooms.
Fota Gardens are in the grounds of the house. They are highly acclaimed, consisting of a structured arboretum, walled garden and terraces. Many rare and exotic shrubs and trees exist, along with an extensive rose garden. Specimens were collected from all over the world and added to the garden up until the 1970s. At this time the garden passed out of private ownership, along with the house, into the hands of University College Cork. Work continued to be carried out by the college on a large scale on the now established arboretum and woodlands. In 1996 the State were given control of the house and gardens. It is now administered by the heritage service, Dúchas, part of the Department of Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
Fota Island Golf Course Part of the same 780 acre (3.2 km²) site (originally the Fota House grounds) as the wildlife park and gardens, Fota Island Golf Course is one of Ireland's many scenic and challenging courses. Golf may have been played on Fota island since the late 19th century. Fota Island hosted the Murphy's Irish Open golf tournament in 2001.
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