Summer’s just getting started in Fota
Fota Wildlife Park has announced a programme of family friendly events for the remainder of the summer.
The programme got under way this week and runs until 20 August, marking 40 years of conservation, research, and breeding of endangered animals at the park.
Running across 6 weeks, the programme offers a series of interactive and engaging live events, educational weekends, and science shows, all of which are free with entry price or admission to Fota Wildlife Park. Some events do require pre-booking and these events can be booked on fotawildlife.ie.
A highlight of the program will see scientist and TV presenter Mark the Science Guy from RTE’s award winning science series ‘Let’s Find Out’ bring his live show to Fota each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Guests will be taken on a scientific adventure exploring the planet earth, with plenty of volunteers needed to join Mark on stage with his interactive demonstrations.
A trained theoretical physicist, Mark is an educator, researcher, TV presenter, broadcaster, and an award-winning educational content creator and producer of live educational stage shows and engaging STEM experiences and exhibitions. Pre-booking is required for Mark’s The Science Guy’s Live shows.
Also on the programme is the Cork-based Graffiti Theatre Company which presents ‘Rowan and the Seasons’, a brand new creative learning workshop with puppets suitable for 3-9 years. Guests can join puppeteer Jo Dennehy and Graffiti Creative Learning facilitators for an interactive puppetry encounter as they walk through the seasons. It is an intimate show and is suitable for those with sensory issues. ‘Rowan and the Seasons’ will take place every Monday from 10 July to 14 August and pre- booking is required.
Family friendly yoga classes presented by Hot Yoga Cork will run every Friday until 18 August in the marquee at Fota. Flow Yoga, which is suitable for 10 years and over, will take place at 1pm and Family Yoga, which is suitable for all age groups, will take place at 2pm. Pre-booking is essential.
Also, for the young budding scientists out there, Fota Wildlife Park is welcoming back its popular Mad Scientist Weekend this year featuring exhibits from the Tyndall National Institute, IPIC, and the Lifetime Lab @ Old Cork Waterworks.
On 29 and 30 July, the Native Species Weekend will take place from 12 noon to 5pm, at the park’s marquee. Native Species Weekend is a must for any tiny tots interested in learning more about Ireland’s own amazing creatures. Visitors to the park can learn about the variety of native flora and fauna that exists in Ireland and how everyone can play a role in helping to conserve our natural heritage.
Learn it Lego workshops are back on 4 and 5 August. Then, on 16 August, Peter Dowdall will give a talk and workshop on natural connections in Fota and will discuss how some animals need plants and equally how some plants need animals for their survival.