Islands of Ireland: There's 5,000 years of wild history to be found on Fota Island

There are several fulacht fia on the western end of the island and towards the centre there are outlines of a structure resembling a Bronze Age mortuary house

The famous Fota Wildlife Park on Fota Island which opened in 1983. Photo: Denis Scannell

With its macaws, eucalyptus trees, golf course with echoes of organised nature, and nearby decommissioned chemical plant, Fota Island in Cork Harbour could be a blueprint for a JG Ballard novel. No dystopia here though, as all are merely functions of various interests over the centuries.

The earliest record of man’s presence on this Co. Cork once-island (and hence its presence here) shows evidence of a community of people living there about 5,000 years ago. There are several fulacht fia (cooking pits) on the western end of the island and towards the centre there are outlines of a structure resembling a Bronze Age mortuary house.