Location: shore of Lough Derg Map
Constructed: 1610- 1618
Portumna Castle is located at the shore of Lough (lake) Derg
where River Shannon flows into the lake in County Galway in
Ireland. Portumna Castle was constructed in 1610- 1618. When
originally built the castle, Portumna, in that time he had no
equal in grandeur and beauty, he surpasses even such great
castles as Rathfarnham, Swords, Carrickfergus, Charlemont and
Bernard. The elegance and beauty of Portumna castle owes its
existence to the Builder of the castle-Richard bercow, IV Earl
of Clanricarde, Lord of Connacht, descended from a family of
powerful feudal lords de Burgh (Burke) Norman origin. The castle
was built from 1610 to 1618. It was spent on its construction
10,000 pounds — at the time it was a huge amount of money. At
the same time, the Earl of Clanricarde built the castles of
Somerhill and Royal Tunbride wells in Kent (England).
Portamna castle was the first castle in Ireland built in the
Renaissance style, which was at that time very common in Italy,
France, but in Ireland continued to build castles in the Norman
and Gothic styles. Features of the Renaissance architecture of
the castle is especially evident in the design of the main
entrance, Tuscan style courtyard of the castle, and the castle
plan is typical of the Renaissance. The castle is symmetrical in
shape, has basements and corner towers. The Central corridor, 3
m wide, runs longitudinally from top to bottom, supported by
stone walls that contain numerous recesses and fireplaces.
The castle was abandoned by the owners after a fire in 1826. The
public works Department built huge chimneys. The castle has
gardens surrounded by a wall of the house, the yard.