'The beating heart of Fota House': Irish Heritage Trust volunteers praised for work at historic property

Dedicated volunteers at the Irish Heritage Trust are once again harvesting and pruning in the glasshouses and grounds of Fota House, as well as working in the historic property as part of an integral programme that has been running for more than a decade.

As Fota House enters its low season, volunteers are working at “putting the house to bed”, undertaking a thorough cleaning of the rooms and caring for its collections, in addition to the gardening works.

The Irish Heritage Trust’s volunteering programme at Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens has been active for more than a decade, and in 2015 the Irish Heritage Trust was a winner of an EU Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Award for its walled garden volunteering project. 

The Irish Heritage Trust is an independent non-profit organisation that works on the nation’s behalf to conserve, manage, sustainably develop, and interpret built and natural heritage in Ireland.

“Over the past number of years, we’re fortunate to have welcomed and worked with over 100 dedicated volunteers of all ages and backgrounds,” said Irish Heritage Trust volunteer co-ordinator at Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens, Martina Carroll.

“Their fascinating experience and specialist skills mean that our volunteers are at the heart of a variety of important heritage projects here in the Regency House and historic working gardens. Alongside staff and conservation specialists, they have taken on crucial roles and responsibilities.”

General manager of Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens, Bryan Murphy, praised the work of the volunteers.

“Our vital volunteers are the beating heart of Fota House, and we are delighted that their participation embodies the Irish Heritage Trust’s values in a meaningful and inclusive way,” he said.

“On a daily basis, these volunteers are integral to the Trust’s mission of bringing Ireland’s historic properties to life and sharing the stories of the properties and the people who once lived in them.”