Portumna Castle

Portumna Castle Welcome to the official page for Portumna Castle an OPW managed Heritage site. There is a collection of period furniture on display at the castle.

Portumna Castle and Demesne occupy a magnificent location on the shores of Lough Derg on the River Shannon. Although gutted by fire in 1826, the Castle is still an imposing example of Irish architecture of the early 17th Century. Built before 1618 by Richard de Burgo, 4th Earl of Clanricarde, the castle became the main seat of the de Burgo family for over 200 years. Architecturally, the building m

arks the transition from the medieval Tower House to the Renaissance style manor house with complimentary influences from both periods. Following the fire and the ravages of time, the castle degenerated into a roofless shell. However, since 1968, the Office of Public Works re-roofed the building and based on extensive archaeological and historical research, other major conservation and partial restoration works continue to be carried out by a team of skilled craftsmen. The imposing façade of the castle faces north and is approached by a long avenue and formal gardens. The dramatic approach has three formal enclosures which contain geometric and regular plantings, an old shrub rose garden and a walled kitchen garden, all combining to re-create a sense of the original 17th century setting. The ground floor of the castle is open to the public and houses an exhibition on the history and restoration of the building and the de Burgo family. The virtual reality DVD presentation adds to the exhibition, bringing the story to life. The renovated stables & coach-house accommodates the tea-room, reception area, exhibition area and toilet facilities. Portumna Castle is surrounded by the towns' local attractions – Lough Derg, the River Shannon and Portumna Forest Park. Activities include golfing, hiking, go-karting, various heritage sites and more, which makes Portumna and its surrounds a really worthwhile area to visit. Tours:
Self Guided - Inside Castle, 15 minute duration and limited to 10 people. Face masks to be worn inside. Guided - Ring in advance for booking. Location: H53 YK27

Photography / Video allowed. Commercial photography not allowed. Permission required for commercial photography. No drones allowed.

🤩New Photography Exhibition at Portumna Castle Gallery from Bank Holiday Monday, 1st June for the month of June Step int...
29/05/2026

🤩New Photography Exhibition at Portumna Castle Gallery from Bank Holiday Monday, 1st June for the month of June

Step into the wild and experience the great outdoors through the lens of the Midlands Photography Club new exhibition 'The Year in Pictures' 🌿🏔️

The club is thrilled to present its latest stunning collection at Portumna Castle Gallery, with a special focus on the breathtaking art of nature and landscape photography. From the rugged peaks of Achill Island to the serene waters of Lough Boora, these images celebrate the very best of the Irish wilderness.

🖼️ Visit the Exhibition
The public is warmly invited to experience these incredible landscapes in person! Come and support these talented photographers.

🤝Midlands Photography Club invites photographers of all levels to join their supportive community for bi-weekly meetings at St. Ciaran’s House, Athlone, held every second Wednesday from September to June.

Members enjoy a mix of creative networking and organized excursions to stunning locations like Connemara and Killarney, fostering friendships through a shared love of the lens. 📸✨

🏰 Portumna Castle & Gardens is open 7 days, 10:00 - 17:15

📞 046 942 2900
📧 [email protected]

OPW - Office of Public Works Heritage Ireland Discover Lough Derg Ireland's Hidden Heartlands Love Portumna Visit Portumna Visit Galway CaToCa Fine Food & Giftware


We were delighted to host Dr. Bernadette Cunningham at Portumna Castle Gallery last Sunday who spoke about about her rec...
28/05/2026

We were delighted to host Dr. Bernadette Cunningham at Portumna Castle Gallery last Sunday who spoke about about her recently published book "English Countess, Irish Earl: The Social World of Frances, Countess of Clanricard, 1567–1632." This was a greatly attended talk and Bernadette's book is available at our shop (Collection only). Alternatively, it can be purchased from Four Courts Press at https://www.fourcourtspress.ie/books/2026/english-countess-irish-earl

Frances Walsingham, wife of Richard Burke, 4th Earl of Clanricarde who built Portumna Castle.

📷 Giacomo Di Blasi

OPW - Office of Public Works Heritage Ireland Discover Lough Derg Ireland's Hidden Heartlands Visit Portumna Love Portumna CaToCa Fine Food & Giftware

The perfect finale to National Biodiversity Week! 🌿✨We had a fantastic crowd last Sunday for OPW Guide Noel Larkin’s fol...
27/05/2026

The perfect finale to National Biodiversity Week! 🌿✨

We had a fantastic crowd last Sunday for OPW Guide Noel Larkin’s folklore and tree walk at Portumna Castle. The highlight? Getting up close and personal with our famous Mulberry Tree, which might just be the oldest in Ireland! 🌳🇮🇪

📷 Giacomo Di Blasi

OPW - Office of Public Works Heritage Ireland Discover Lough Derg Ireland's Hidden Heartlands Biodiversity Ireland Galway County Biodiversity Office Galway County Heritage Office CaToCa Fine Food & Giftware

Over 100,000 visitors have visited Portumna Castle & Gardens over the past three years, It's an absolute pleasure welc...
26/05/2026

Over 100,000 visitors have visited Portumna Castle & Gardens over the past three years, It's an absolute pleasure welcoming visitors from all over Ireland and the world. It’s a joy to see Portumna so vibrant, and we love nothing more than sending our guests out to discover the many other wonderful spots Portumna and the Lough Derg area has to offer. We are always grateful to our visitors and promoters.

OPW - Office of Public Works Ireland's Hidden Heartlands CaToCa Fine Food & Giftware Discover Lough Derg Heritage Ireland Visit Portumna Love Portumna

2025 was a strong year for Ireland’s heritage sites, with 13.4 million visits recorded across OPW sites nationwide.

From Dublin Castle remaining Ireland’s top ticketed heritage site, to strong regional growth at sites including Sligo Abbey, Corlea Trackway, Brú na Bóinne and Emo Court, visitors continue to connect with Ireland’s rich history, culture and landscapes.

Regional highlights included:
👉 Emo Court visitor numbers increasing by 50% following conservation works
👉 Sligo Abbey recording a 34% uplift
👉 Corlea Trackway seeing a 13% increase
👉 Kilmainham Gaol visitor numbers rising by 12%

The OPW continues to care for and conserve 780 heritage sites across Ireland, bringing our shared stories to life through expert guiding services, events and visitor experiences.
Learn more ➡️ https://www.gov.ie/en/office-of-public-works/press-releases/visitor-data/

Plan your next visit and explore the extraordinary at heritageireland.ie

Heritage Ireland

FREE Portumna Priory Tour this June Bank Holiday Weekend - Two chances to avail of this tour on Sunday May 31st & Bank H...
25/05/2026

FREE Portumna Priory Tour this June Bank Holiday Weekend - Two chances to avail of this tour on Sunday May 31st & Bank Holiday Monday June 1st

OPW staff James Heenan & Noel Larkin will give an insightful talk on the history of the Cistercians & Dominicans, look at the functions and features of the Priory and finish with tombstone iconographies.

No booking required, meeting at the reception area beside the Tea-room

Today at Portumna Castle - Two FREE events, see below for details
24/05/2026

Today at Portumna Castle - Two FREE events, see below for details

Two FREE events at Portumna Castle this Sunday, 24th May.

🌳2pm - "Portumna Trees: Walk & Talk" Noel Larkin will bring visitors on a leisurely walk as he discusses the importance of trees around the castle including the Mulberry tree which is possibly the oldest in Ireland. He will also discuss the folklore of trees.

🏰4pm - Dr. Bernadette Cunningham will launch her book "English Countess, Irish Earl: The Social World of Frances, Countess of Clanricard, 1567–1632." Bernadette will give a talk on the subject of Frances Walsingham.

Frances Walsingham was married to Richard Burke, 4th Earl of Clanricarde who built Portumna Castle.

Both of these are FREE events and no booking required.

And if you are going to both events, you can take a break, sit down and relax at tearoom

Further information
📞 046 942 2900
📧 [email protected]

OPW - Office of Public Works Discover Lough Derg Ireland's Hidden Heartlands Visit Portumna Heritage Ireland Love Portumna CaToCa Fine Food & Giftware Visit Galway Biodiversity Ireland Galway County Biodiversity Office Galway County Heritage Office Galway County Council Catoca Fine Food & Giftware fans Portumna, Co. Galway Podumna Village, Portumna, Co. Galway

Two FREE events at Portumna Castle this Sunday, 24th May.🌳2pm - "Portumna Trees: Walk & Talk" Noel Larkin will bring vis...
23/05/2026

Two FREE events at Portumna Castle this Sunday, 24th May.

🌳2pm - "Portumna Trees: Walk & Talk" Noel Larkin will bring visitors on a leisurely walk as he discusses the importance of trees around the castle including the Mulberry tree which is possibly the oldest in Ireland. He will also discuss the folklore of trees.

🏰4pm - Dr. Bernadette Cunningham will launch her book "English Countess, Irish Earl: The Social World of Frances, Countess of Clanricard, 1567–1632." Bernadette will give a talk on the subject of Frances Walsingham.

Frances Walsingham was married to Richard Burke, 4th Earl of Clanricarde who built Portumna Castle.

Both of these are FREE events and no booking required.

And if you are going to both events, you can take a break, sit down and relax at tearoom

Further information
📞 046 942 2900
📧 [email protected]

OPW - Office of Public Works Discover Lough Derg Ireland's Hidden Heartlands Visit Portumna Heritage Ireland Love Portumna CaToCa Fine Food & Giftware Visit Galway Biodiversity Ireland Galway County Biodiversity Office Galway County Heritage Office Galway County Council Catoca Fine Food & Giftware fans Portumna, Co. Galway Podumna Village, Portumna, Co. Galway

FREE admission for "Over 60s" to Portumna Castle this Friday May 22nd. This is part of OPWs initiative on celebrating Be...
21/05/2026

FREE admission for "Over 60s" to Portumna Castle this Friday May 22nd. This is part of OPWs initiative on celebrating Bealtaine Festival which sees many free events for senior citizens nationwide.

OPW - Office of Public Works Heritage Ireland Discover Lough Derg Ireland's Hidden Heartlands Love Portumna Visit Portumna CaToCa Fine Food & Giftware

Today at Portumna Castle Gallery at 2pm, a great talk by Craft Gardener Lynn O'Keeffe
21/05/2026

Today at Portumna Castle Gallery at 2pm, a great talk by Craft Gardener Lynn O'Keeffe

Discover the secret life of trees and how they keep our wildlife alive! 🦅✨

This Thursday, OPW Craft Gardener and Biodiversity Champion Lynn O’Keeffe is hosting a brilliant talk: "Growing Trees for Wildlife."

If you want to learn how trees provide crucial food, cover, and shelter for local animals, you won't want to miss this. This will include a walk around the Walled Garden

Date: Thursday, 21st May

Time: 2:00 PM

Location: Portumna Castle Gallery

Admission: FREE!

See you there! 👋

No booking required

For inquiries:
📞 046 942 2900
📧 [email protected]

OPW - Office of Public Works Heritage Ireland Discover Lough Derg Ireland's Hidden Heartlands Visit Portumna Love Portumna Biodiversity Ireland Galway County Biodiversity Office Galway County Heritage Office

This Sunday, 24th May at 2pm, OPW Guide Noel Larkin will bring visitors on a leisurely walk as he discusses the importan...
21/05/2026

This Sunday, 24th May at 2pm, OPW Guide Noel Larkin will bring visitors on a leisurely walk as he discusses the importance of trees around the castle including the Mulberry tree which is possibly the oldest in Ireland. He will also discuss the folklore of trees. This is a FREE event as part of National Biodiversity Week.
No booking required.

For further information:

📞 046 942 2900
📧 [email protected]

OPW - Office of Public Works Discover Lough Derg Ireland's Hidden Heartlands Heritage Ireland Visit Galway CaToCa Fine Food & Giftware Visit Portumna Love Portumna Biodiversity Ireland Galway County Biodiversity Office Galway County Heritage Office fans


Happy World Bee Day 2026A reminder of Lynn O'Keeffe's FREE talk this Thursday 21st May at 2pm - 'Growing Trees for Wildl...
20/05/2026

Happy World Bee Day 2026

A reminder of Lynn O'Keeffe's FREE talk this Thursday 21st May at 2pm - 'Growing Trees for Wildlife' in Portumna Castle Gallery

Discover the secret life of trees and how they keep our wildlife alive! 🦅✨

If you want to learn how trees provide crucial food, cover, and shelter for local animals, you won't want to miss this. This will include a walk around the Walled Garden

No booking required

For inquiries:
📞 046 942 2900
📧 [email protected]

📷

Address

Portumna

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5:15pm
Tuesday 10am - 5:15pm
Wednesday 10am - 5:15pm
Thursday 10am - 5:15pm
Friday 10am - 5:15pm
Saturday 10am - 5:15pm
Sunday 10am - 5:15pm

Telephone

+353469422900

Website

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