Posts Tagged ‘Things to do in Fota’

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Pride and Prejudice at Fota House

Thursday, June 6th, 2013

To celebrate 200 years of the popular publication, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, UCC and the Irish Heritage Trust are hosting a week long summer school in Fota House between Sunday 23rd – Friday 28th June.

Featuring period costume and jewellery as well as an exploration of garden design and early 19th century history, the programme will include field trips, a 19th century harp recital, an evening of readings from the much-loved novel and will begin and end with exquisite meals here at the Fota Island Resort Hotel Cork.

A must for anyone who is a fan of the works of Jane Austen, this week long summer school will utilise the expertise of UCC for the society, style, culture, food as well as the literature of the regency period, and Letta Jones internationally respected garden historian, will contribute to the programme, exploring Fota’s world renowned arboretum and pleasure gardens.

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Posted in Afternoon Tea Cork, Cork Restaurants, Fota Island Dining, Things to do in Cork, Things to do in Fota | No Comments »

Work has begun on New Indoor Conservation Facility at Fota

Thursday, April 25th, 2013

Work has begun for our neighbours Fota Wildlife Park on their new indoor animal care and conservation centre for endangered species.

Creating new additional jobs at Fota across animal health and veterinary to animal care and support staff, the development of the Animal Care and Conservation Centre will cost approximately €600,000, which has been supported by an investment grant from the SECAD (South and East Cork Area Development) of €200,000

The Conservation Centre development will house native and globally endangered species, and will enable the Park to become an all-weather attraction and to extend its visitor season into the winter months, which is great news for tourists and visitors who choose to explore Cork in the colder season.

Located next to our luxury Cork Hotel, the Fota Wildlife Park is currently the most visited tourist attraction in the South West of Ireland and the addition of the new animal care and conservation centre that is expected to be completed by the end of this year and will open in early 2014 is sure to only increase visitor numbers.

Visitors staying with us at our five star resorts in Ireland can also avail of our daily complimentary shuffle service that departs from the front entrance of the hotel to the Wildlife Park at 11:30am and 2:30pm and returns daily at 2:45pm and 5:00pm. Guests looking for more information about our daily shuttle can find this displayed on the Concierge Desk.

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Posted in Hotel Cork, Luxury Hotel Cork, Things to do in Cork, Things to do in Fota | No Comments »

Free Entry to Spike Island near Cobh

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

Spike Island located of the coast of Cork, close to our hotel near Cobh has hosted a monastery, a fortress and a prison within its 104 acres, all of which have left their mark.

A popular tourist attraction and ones of the things to do and see in Cork, a new phase in Spike Island‘s history began in July 2010 as the State handed control of the Island back over to Cork County Council and by doing so ended two centuries of institutional use.

With the handover, Cork County Council has created a unique visitor experience at this one of Ireland’s most historic landmarks, which is pleased to now offer a special discounted rate and FREE entry to the Island or Fort Mitchel, although it is worth noting that whilst entrance to Spike Island will not incur a charge, there will still be a charge for the ferry that provides access to the Island.

Ferry Charges are currently; €8 per adult and €5 per child and frequency of the Ferry Service from Sunday 14th April, a more regular ferry services will be available, with the ferry departing from Kennedy Pier in Cobh every Sunday during April at 12pm and again at 2pm. Then from May, this service will be increased with the ferry departing on both Saturday and Sunday’s at 12pm and again at 2pm, and then from June, a daily ferry service will be available, and from Saturday 1st June, the ferry departing from Cobh will also stop at Monkstown at 12:15pm.

This year also whilst on the island, visitors will be able to travel without being part of a tour guided group, thus allowing them to enjoy the recently opened walkway around the perimeter of the Fort at the their leisure.

A must visitor attraction when in the area, why not combine your trip to Spike Island with lunch, dinner or afternoon tea at our Cork Hotel, which is ideally placed off the main road from Cork to Cobh en route to or from the ferry to Spike Island. For more information about our Cork Restaurants or to make a reservation with us, contact: +353 (0)21 467 3150 or email: reservations@fotaisland.ie

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Posted in Afternoon Tea Cork, Cork Restaurants, Fota Island Dining, Things to do in Cork, Things to do in Fota | No Comments »

Replica Crystal Collection Commemorates Titanic Anniversary

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

A handcrafted collection of crystal bowls similar to those that were on the RMS Titanic will be cut by master craftsmen in Cork to celebrate the anniversary of its visit to Cobh.

Commissioned by the Titanic Experience, Tregan Craft Centre Master Cutter, Alex Davies will hand cut the replica crystal, of which limited edition pieces shall be available to view and for purchase during the month of April from the Tregan Art Centre.

The cutting of the commemoration crystal is as part of Project Titanic Cobh, which in its first year, in what is to become an annual celebration and commemoration of the Titanic’s visit to Cobh has a full programme of events planned for the first two weeks of April.

Located just a few miles away from the Fota Island Resort, our hotel near Cobh is ideally situated for staying in the area and for accessing the many fantastic events and activities organised by Project Titanic Cobh including; A speech from Rory Golden, the first Irish diver to see the Titanic, as well as Titanic Trails, live music and entertainment, Lectures, Displays, fantastic food and themed restaurant menus and afternoon teas, plus much more.

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Children’s Tree Trails and Adult Plant Hunters Tree Trails at Fota

Tuesday, March 26th, 2013

Looking for something to do for all the family this Easter? Then look no further than the fantastic Children’s Tree Trails and Adult Plant Hunters Tree Trails at Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens, which is located next door to the Fota Island Resort Hotel Cork.

The new children’s trails include: “Where is Mrs Kevin’s cat?” a house trail developed especially for under 6s to participate in a guided tour of Fota House that encourages children to help find the Housekeepers cat who has gone missing by following a map and a series of clues. There is also a walking trail “Little Explorers Tree Trail”, again suitable for the under 6s, this gentle rambling trail is a fun way for kids to enjoy and observe nature through drawing and counting exercises whilst they explore the arboretum and consists of a fully illustrated map and guidebook containing plenty of activities. For over 7s there is the “Junior Plant Hunters Trail” which encourages kids to hunt for trees in the arboretum, mark their location on the map and note their country of origin on the atlas, this trail consists of a map and guidebook full of activities and puzzles.

For adults, Fota House is proud to announce a new outdoor trail, the “Plant Hunters Tree Trail” which aims to guide participants around some highlights of Fota’s arboretum to tell the tales of the intrepid plant hunters who discovered the many wonderful specimen trees that can be found in Fota’s magnificent and rare collection.

Trail booklets, guides and map will go on sale on 30th March at the Easter Egg Trail and available to participate in from the 1st April when the house opens. For more information about family events and activities at Fota Island House, contact them direct on: 021 481 5543

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Fun Easter Kids Camps at Fota Island Resort in Cork

Tuesday, March 19th, 2013

Taking place here at Fota Island’s Five Star Resort in Ireland over the Easter holidays are our renowned Kids Camps for children aged between 4 and 12 years old.

Beginning this Saturday, 23rd March and running through to Sunday 7th April, our Easter Kids Camps in Cork include activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, baking, football, movies and discos.

Kids will be well entertained this Easter,  and parents can choose from our Daytime and Evening Camps, Day Camps run from 10am to 3pm, and our evening camps from730pm – 10pm.

Our Easter Holiday Activities for Kids begin and end at our base within our Self Catering Accommodation Aviary Lodge Number 17, and parents are asked to drop off and collect their children here.

Daily Cost for our Kids Camps are as follows:

  • Residents at our Cork Hotel: €10 per child per day (2nd child is €8, 3rd child is + €5 each)
  • For Non-Residents: €20 per child per day (2nd child is €15, 3rd child is + €10 each)

Places on our Kids Camps should be booked in at the Front Office at least one day in advance and parents are advised that all activities are subject to change and may be weather dependent. Children are asked to bring a pack lunch and drinks, and to be prepared for all weathers and eventualities by also packing sun cream / raincoat and wellies, swimwear, arm bands if required and comfortable shoes. For more information about our Easter Kids Camps, contact reception on 021 488 3700.

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Happy 30th Birthday to Fota Wildlife Park

Wednesday, January 9th, 2013

This year our neighbours Fota Wildlife Park are turning the big 30 and all of us at Fota Island Resort, would like to wish them a very happy 30th birthday year.

Officially opened to the public on 23rd June 1983, Fota Wildlife Park has big celebrations planned for their milestone year, with plenty of large scale events planned to take place throughout the summer. But the fun started already, when on New Year’s Day and to mark their thirtieth year, they surprised their thirtieth visitor with a conservation membership!

A popular tourist attraction in Ireland, Fota Wildlide Park is the most visited tourist attraction in Cork and is conveniently located next door to our hotel in Cork.

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Fota Island Resort Cork

Tuesday, December 18th, 2012

With only a week till the big day, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Fota Island Resort as we welcome back by popular demand the Blathnaid Earley’s “Voices of Christmas” singing quartet.

Performing all your favourite traditional and contemporary Christmas Carols in the lobby of the Fota Island Hotel in Cork from the 20th – 24th December, between the hours of 3 – 5 pm. Why not soak up the festive atmosphere from our Amber Lounge? Here, you can enjoy Afternoon Tea or maybe a mulled wine and mince pie whilst listening to the four talented Irish acappella vocalists from the Cork Operatic Society and Cork School of Music.

No better place to be in the run up to Christmas, be sure to escape to Fota Island Resort, sit back and relax in the tranquil surroundings of Fota Island Hotel and Spa whilst enjoying the dulcet tones of the Blathnaid Earley’s “Voices of Christmas” Caroling Quartet.

To reserve a table in the Amber Lounge, please email reservations@fotaisland.ie or call us on (021) 467 3152.

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Posted in Christmas Ideas Cork, Cork Restaurants, Hotel Cork, Luxury Hotel Cork, Things to do in Cork, Things to do in Fota | No Comments »

Big Congratulations to Fota Wildlife Park

Tuesday, November 27th, 2012

Located next door to us here at Fota Island Resort Hotel Cork, the Fota Wildlife Park is one of Ireland’s top 10 visitor attractions.

Earlier this month on Friday 9th November, our neighbours Fota Wildlife Park were awarded with the prestigious ‘Green Flag’ Award which was presented by Minister Simon Coveney and granted by An Taisce in recognition for their hard work on the An Taisce ‘Eco-Centre’ Programme, and followed two years of sustained work that was meticulously assessed by panel of experts,.

The first zoological institution in Ireland to be accredited with this award, the programme has seen impressive results for the Fota Wildlife Park, which has increased its recycling rate from 21% to 62%, developed systems for composting food waste generated by its own onsite cafés, restaurants and animal food preparation areas as well as incorporating methods to reuse environmental elements like harvesting rain water and including solar panels into new buildings.

For guests staying at our Five Star Resort in Ireland that want to visit Ireland’s wildest attraction, we are pleased to offer a complimentary shuttle service to Fota Wildlife Park. This return service departs daily from the front entrance of the hotel and arrives at Fota Wildlife Park entrance twice per day in the morning and mid-afternoon. For more information about the shuttle service, times of departure and how to book is available by clicking here and from Fota Island Resort’s Concierge by email at Concierge@fotaisland.ie or call on +353 (0)21 488 3700.

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East Cork Early Music Festival

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012

Taking place between 4th – 7th October, 2012 and now in its tenth year, the East Cork Early Music Festival has developed a reputation as one of the premier small Irish music festivals.

Bringing internationally renowned performers to Cork again this year, such as Pierre Goy, Rachel Podger, Peter Whelan and many more, visitors and locals can enjoy a mix of medieval, renaissance and Baroque music in some of Cork’s most spectacular venues, including Stack Theatre and Curtis Auditorium at CIT Cork School of Music, Aula Maxima at UCC, St John the Baptist Church in Middleton, The Grainstore in Ballymaloe and Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh.

Over the years the East Cork Early Music Festival has taken place in numerous historic Cork landmarks, such as St Fin Barre’s Cathedaral, Cloyne Cathedral and Fota House, which is located next to us here at Fota Island Resort Cork.

The festival is a huge success each year. The audiences have been supportive of the music and choice of venues, which are surrounded by and give access to local fantastic Cork restaurants and Cork hotels, meaning performers and audiences alike can savour the local hospitality, cuisine, culture and history.

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