Fota Wildlife Park

Overview

Fota Wildlife Park sits on 100 acres of gently rolling pasture on Fota Island, just 10 km east of Cork City. Opened in 1983, the park is an independently funded, not‑for‑profit charity and ranks among Ireland’s top ten paid attractions. Its design encourages animals to roam in spacious, naturalistic paddocks, giving guests the feeling of a wildlife safari rather than a traditional zoo. Visitors can watch ring‑tailed lemurs leap from tree to tree, wallabies hop past, and giraffes glide across the African Savannah paddock while feeding.

History

The island was the ancestral home of the Smith‑Barry family, whose lands were sold to University College Cork in 1975. In 1979 the Zoological Society of Ireland identified Fota as the ideal site for a wildlife park, and the university offered the land free of charge. After a public‑subscription fundraising drive and a grant from Bord Fáilte, the first animals arrived in late 1982 and the park opened in summer 1983, inaugurated by President Patrick Hillery. Since then the park has expanded dramatically – a Cheetah Run was added in 2006, a Tropical House opened in 2014, and the 27‑acre Asian Sanctuary was launched in 2013, housing Sumatran tigers, Indian rhinos, Asiatic lions and more.

What to See & Do

• Asian Sanctuary – Home to Sumatran tigers, Indian rhinos, lion‑tailed macaques, Asiatic lions, Visayan spotted deer, warty pigs and red pandas. The habitats are designed to mimic Asian grasslands and forests, allowing visitors to view these endangered species at close range.
• African Savannah – Features Rothschild’s giraffe, Grant’s zebra, scimitar‑horned oryx and ostrich. Large herbivores graze in open paddocks separated by low, unobtrusive barriers.
• Tropical House – Opened in 2014, it shelters 28 fish, 14 butterfly species, three reptile and nine amphibian species among 340 tropical plants.
• Cheetah Run – Installed in 2006, this suspended feeding system encourages cheetahs to chase food, showcasing their speed and natural hunting behaviour.
• Free‑roaming mammals – Ring‑tailed lemurs, wallabies, kangaroos and mara species wander among the pathways, often approaching curious visitors.
• Birdlife – Penguin, Chilean flamingo and great white pelican colonies inhabit wetlands near Monkey Island, where black howler and Colombian spider monkeys also reside.
• Education Centre – Offers ecology and conservation courses for primary and secondary students, plus summer camps that host around 15 000 pupils each year.
• Guided Experiences – The park runs three paid experiences: a ranger‑led guided tour, a two‑hour behind‑the‑scenes tour (€160 for two adults, includes park entry) and a VIP family experience that includes penguin feeding and a giraffe‑house walkthrough. All tours are private and must be booked in advance.
• Family Facilities – Play areas, the giant giraffe slide, picnic spots and the Oasis restaurant provide rest and recreation for children and adults alike.

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Admission – Ticket prices are listed on the official website; pre‑booking is strongly recommended, especially outside the summer months.

Getting There

• Train – Fota has its own Irish Rail station, a 13‑minute scenic ride from Cork Kent Station. The train stops directly at the park entrance, making it the only Irish attraction with a dedicated rail stop.
• Car – The N25 provides excellent road access; parking is free on‑site.
• Bus – Regular services run from Cork City to the park’s bus stop.

Contact

• Website: www.fotawildlife.ie
• Phone: +353 21 481 2678

Accessibility

• The park is wheelchair accessible with four disabled toilets (Savannah Café, Tiger Forest, Oasis Café, and a general facility). Four manual wheelchairs are available free of charge at reception (subject to availability).
• The seasonal tour train can accommodate wheelchairs and folded buggies.
• Wide, level pathways make it easy to navigate between habitats.

Nearby Attractions A short drive or train ride brings you to Cobh’s Titanic Experience, Spike Island historic forts, and Cork City’s vibrant cultural scene. For overnight stays, the five‑star Sheraton Fota Island Resort and Golf Spa offers luxury accommodation on the same island.

Conservation Fota runs the European Endangered Species Programme for the Sudan cheetah and the European Studbook for lechwe. Its breeding programmes have produced over 200 cheetah cubs since 1985 and support the re‑introduction of several threatened species.

Plan your visit early, secure tickets online, and enjoy a day where wildlife, education and Irish hospitality meet on the tranquil shores of Fota Island.