Portumna Castle and Gardens

This great semi-fortified house at Portumna was built around 1618 by Richard Burke – or, de Burgo – 4th Earl of Clanrickard. It is a Jacobean-style building which remained the main seat of the de Burgo clan for over 200 years until it was gutted by fire in 1826. Portumna Castle has formal, geometrically-laid 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 its 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. There are toilet facilities onsite. Children must be supervised at all times. There is partial wheelchair access.

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