Fota House Ticket: Explore Ireland's Iconic Regency Architecture and Exotic Arboretum

Discover the beauty of Fota House, an iconic Regency architecture in Ireland. Explore the exotic arboretum and immerse yourself in the compelling history of the Smith-Barry family. Book your tickets now!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Fota House - Fota House is one of Ireland’s finest examples of Regency period architecture with superb neoclassical interiors. The main house dating from 1820, remained in the sole ownership of the Smith-Barry family for 155 years and today it shares the compelling life story of this family and their household staff.
    Now an Irish Heritage Trust…
What's Included
  • Local guide
What's Not Included
  • Does not include the €3 site parking fee, payable on exit from the car park by card or cash
Additional Information

One of the most remarkable examples of Regency era architecture in Ireland is Fota House, renowned for its exquisite neoclassical interiors. Since 1820, the main house was exclusively in possession of the Smith-Barry family for a span of 155 years and it now recounts the fascinating narrative of this family along with their domestic employees. It also…

Location
Fota House
All travelers must check in at our Visitor Services Desk which is located in the Long Gallery Craft Shop area next to the Cafe.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(53 Ratings)
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Gerhen78
Mar 25, 2025
Interesting tour - Amazing tour guide who really gave us a great insight to the house and gardens. We saw a lot of the house and the servants area also it was very interesting. The gardens are magnificent
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U9608cukathrynw
Mar 24, 2025
Fota House tour - Easy walk from the train. Beautiful property and house. Historical society has done and great job with maintaining and restoring the property. Worth a trip. Nice cafe and gift shop.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yvonne
Mar 23, 2025
Worth a visit, take the house tour - Beautiful house and gardens. Fantastic tour with lots of information and enthusiasm from Lynne. Thank you. There's a coffee station and plenty tree lined walks surrounding the house. The house tour itself is worth going on to see how the gentry lived when Fota estate was operational.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laurarz161jf
Dec 2, 2024
Santa Experience 2024 - highly recommended - Visited for the Santa Experience – kids had a fantastic time. The attention to detail in each of the rooms was exceptional. Staff at check in were very friendly and we got to chat with an elf by the Christmas tree and fire for a couple of minutes before the event started. The groups for each time slot are small, and there was plenty of time to experience the rooms, which meant that it wasn't overwhelming for young kids. Santa was very kind and patient with the kids. Fota House itself looked amazing with all the Christmas decorations. We would highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suzan_s
Sep 30, 2024
Beautiful Home and Gardens - First of all the staff is so helpful and friendly and we appreciate all the information and kindness each one of them had. The guide was honest and informative on the restoration of the home and furniture. The gardens were amazing and the landscaper were working very hard to make it look as beautiful as it does. This is a real gem with a sweet little cafe and window service for coffees and drinks.
Review provided by Viator
R4012imdebrad
Sep 30, 2024
Terrific tour, great value - My sister and I visited Fota House on a spur of the moment decision as we were driving by the entrance, and we are so glad we did. The house was busy with a function but not many tourists. It was not a tour specified time but they organised a guide for the 2 of us. Our guide, I think her name was Sandra, was so knowledgeable. Her ability to retain so much information is amazing. Great house, great tour, such value for money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephengreen64
Aug 29, 2024
Amazing Arboretum, beautiful house, wonderful guise. - Fota Arboretum is probably the best I have ever ever visited ( including Kew gardens!) The paths lead you to so many amazing trees which make you stop and go "wow!" The multi trunked Japanese Cedar is truly spectacular, seeing it was worth the visit alone. The orangery and its green houses are amazing to and throughout the visit , the staff were pleasant, helpful and smiled. We took a tour of the house and it was only us and another couple. The guide, knowledgeable yet humble, worked his magic with stories. He allowed us plenty of time to ask questions and take photos of the beautiful room. The entrance hall is amazing, as are the kitchens. It is presently under renovation, so whilst that does impact the aesthetics of the outside of the house, do not let it deter you from visiting the rooms and the listening to the history. I congratulate The Irish Heritage Trust in their care for the whole property, unlike the previous owners UCC who really abused it. A wonder days visit and thanks again to the Irish Heritage Trust for the work they are doing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Goplaces44164280218
Aug 29, 2024
Beautiful house and good guide - Visited the house with the very friendly knowledgeable guide Marc. We enjoyed everything he showed us and his enthusiasm. Very interesting place and beautiful!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rodo769
Aug 29, 2024
Recommend the House Tour - Lovely day spent here today. Gardens are amazing even though August not the best time for colour. The house tour, with our guide Michael, was great. His enthusiasm and detail made it a memorable tour and made it come alive in your mind. Very reasonable price for the tour as well. Would highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G873hoanthonyl
Oct 29, 2024
Witch at Halloween expierence shouts at 6 yr old autistic child - We decided to go to the Halloween experience at fota house on 28 October 2024 As it would be a fun day out for my 6 yr old daughter ! She was in her costume all excited on arrival to fota we paid at entry and walked along the Halloween path taking pictures and having a great time until we reached the end of the Halloween experience which was the witches house my daughter was excited as I told her she would get a treat . Myself and my daughter went in the door with other parents and children we were told by the witch to come in it was a tight space my daughter got excited and ran forward I went behind her to hold her as she is a 6 yr old non verbal autistic child as I did the witch roared at us - I did nt realise we were standing in front of another child as we were all squeezed into a small space ! My daughter started shaking as she is not used to being shouted at as she is non verbal and only 6 yrs old and didn’t understand what was going on I was upset myself the way we were treated I picked my daughter up and walked out not to cause a scene I went outside and discussed what happened with a friend ! My daughter was very upset I said everything is ok . Daddy wil get you a treat you are the best little girl ! I went home very upset the way we were treated ! I wouldn’t advise anyone to go to fota house ! That lady who played the witch shouldn’t be working with children She is not a nice person This is a true statement of events
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $15
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).