The great semi-fortified house at Portumna was built around 1618 by Richard Burke, or de Burgo, 4th Earl of Clanrickard. The Jacobean-style building remained the main seat of the de Burgo clan for over 200 years, until it was gutted by fire in 1826. Conservation works are ongoing, however the ground floor of the house is now open to the public while the castle and Gate House feature exhibition panels. Portumna Castle has formal, geometrically laid-out gardens to the north. The Willow Maze incorporates several different willow varieties and its central path is lined with espalier fruit trees which are underplanted with lavender. A 17th-century potager kitchen garden has been restored to it's original splendour and organically planted with flowers, herbs, hollies, and vegetables. The garden offers the visitor an ideal opportunity to see and experience gardening layout and techniques of yesteryear. Admission to OPW sites is free on the first Wednesday of every month until the end of 2011.