Fota House

On Fota Island, 18th century house enlarged in early 1820s by Richard and William Morrison, who added portico, 2-storey projection wings and 2-storey service range. Central block 3-storey, 7-bay with hipped roof; entrance front (S) with single-storey Doric portico under central Wyatt window on 1st floor; band courses under 1st and 2nd floor plate-glass windows; blue-brey prominent quoins; rubble-stone walls formerly rendered. Projecting wings flank main block forming H-shape; entrance fronts pedimented, garden fronts bow-ended. Service wing and single-storey pedimented billard room (added 1856) to W, fronted by long gallery added c. 1900. Interior contains hall forming a long gallery divided by paired scagliola columns with Ionic capitals. Much fine plaster work and decorative detail survives. Classical entrance gateways by the Morrisons; formal gardens include important arboretum; demesne extends over whole island. Early 19th century castellated turret on W side of island; shown on all eds OS 6-inch map as 'Fota Castle'. Demesne now owned by UCC; interiors restored by Richard Wood in 1970s to house collection of Irish paintings. Roof now leaking and paintings removed (pers. comm. R. Wood). (Bence-Jones 1978, 127; Cornforth 1986). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009