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Photographer’s Note

Portumna (Port Omna in Irish - meaning 'the landing place of the oak') is a town in the South-East of County Galway, Ireland, on the border with County Tipperary. The town is located to the West of the point where the River Shannon enters Lough Derg. This historic crossing point over the River Shannon between counties Tipperary and Galway has a long history of bridges and ferry crossings.
The town is noted for Portumna Castle and for the lords that lived there. The castle is actually a semi-fortified house and was built before 1618 by Richard Burke or de Burgo, the 4th Earl of Clanricarde. It was the main seat of the de Burgo family for over 200 years, until it was gutted by fire in 1826.

The castle is located about 200 metres North of Portumna (or 'New') Harbour on Lough Derg, with Portumna Forest Park to the West and the town of Portumna about 300 metres to the North and East.

Following conservation and restoration work, the ground floor of the castle is now open to the public. The conservation works on other parts of the castle are ongoing. To the north of the castle are formal, geometrically laid out gardens. The castle also includes the restored 17th century walled kitchen garden.

As with many historic buildings a number of local legends have grown up around the castle. One local legend goes that a child fell out of the upper windows. An Irish wolf hound raced to break the childs fall and saved the child. A marker stone now rests on the site.

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Additional Photos by Lukasz Pikiel (luki2323) Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 21 W: 0 N: 39] (185)
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