Fota Wildlife Park in Co Cork has been given a major boost with the announcement of the allocation of €200,000 in funding which will be used to build a visitor attraction and conservation centre.
The funding, provided under the rural development programme, will aid the park’s conservation work, create additional learning opportunities for visitors and provide an indoor viewing and entertainment area for visitors to the park.
The proposed facility will provide public access to a series of additional indoor areas.
Announcing the funding, Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan said this was a significant investment for the park, which is already a major tourist attraction.
The project will now go back to the board of South and East Cork Area Development Ltd for final approval.
Fota Wildlife Park is a joint project between the Zoological Society of Ireland and UCC, an idea originally conceived in the 1970s by former director of Dublin Zoo Dr Terry Murphy.
It has been listed as one of Ireland’s top 10 visitor attractions and is the most popular tourist destination in Cork.