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family · Sunday 12 July 2026 · 11:00am 
Fota Wildlife Park - Wild Science Weekend 2026
At Fota Wildlife Park - Education, Conservation and Research Centre (ECRC) · Fota Island, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork
At Fota Wildlife Park - Education, Conservation and Research Centre (ECRC) · Fota Island, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork
Fota Wildlife Park runs educational weekends at its purpose-built Education, Conservation and Research Centre (ECRC), and Wild Science Weekend is the one that draws the broadest mix of ages. The format is relaxed and walk-in - turn up with your park entry ticket, spend as long as you like at the ECRC, then head out to see the animals. It suits families with primary-school-age children particularly well, but adults come without kids and get just as absorbed.
The weekend runs 11am to 4pm on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July. The ECRC fills with stands from a strong partner line-up. The Tyndall Institute brings displays on photonics and electronics research. The Irish Bee Conservation Project covers pollinator science, which connects neatly to the park’s conservation work. The Lifetime Lab at the Old Cork Waterworks adds energy and environment exhibits. MathsWorks and VEX Robotics handle the hands-on engineering side, with robot-building activities that hold children’s attention well. Fota’s own education team run experiments on water, light, and magnetism throughout the day. There is also a giant walk-through model of the human digestive system from UCC’s Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre - surprisingly good fun for all ages. Free face painting runs from noon to 2:45pm on both days.
No advance booking is needed for any of the educational activities - standard park entry covers everything.
Fota Island sits about 15 km east of Cork City. By car, take the N25 and exit at Carrigtwohill, following signs for Fota; on-site parking is available. By rail, the Irish Rail Cork to Cobh line stops at Fota station right at the park entrance - trains run from Kent Station in Cork City and take around 20 minutes.
Carrigtwohill is a short drive from Fota Arboretum, a Victorian collection of rare trees that is free to enter and good for a short walk before or after the park. There is more to see in Carrigtwohill and across Co. Cork.
Heading to Fota Wildlife Park - Education, Conservation and Research Centre (ECRC) in Carrigtwohill? Cork has plenty more to see. Read the Carrigtwohill area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.