Portumna Castle a fortified Renaissance style manor house from the seventeenth century is being restored.
Overlooking four counties this imposing structure at Portumna was once the home of Richard Burke, 4th Earl of Clanricarde, Lord President of Connaught, and the main seat of the de Burgo family for over 200 years.
A fine example of Irish architecture from the early seventeenth century, it shows the change from the mediaeval tower house to Renaissance style mansion.
Destroyed by fire in 1826 the building was sold to the State in 1948 where it came under the office of the Office of Public Works and was designated as a national monument. It has now been recognised as,
The finest manor house of its type in the country.
The estate's lands encompass 1800 acres. Still stocked with deer, they are also recognised as a bird sanctuary.
Once the structure of the house has been restored it will be open to the public, who will be able to see for themselves some aspects of how the other half lived four hundred years ago.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 11 April 1975.
