Picturesque and peaceful, Portumna is definitely worth a visit for the scenery alone - so let’s take a look at some of the finest things to do in this East Galway town...
Spend a day visiting Portumna Castle & Gardens
One of the town’s most note-worthy features, the breathtaking Portumna Castle has quite the history. Gutted by a fire back in 1826, the building has been beautifully restored and opened for the public to explore its many historical exhibitions. With three formal garden enclosures, the kitchen garden is perhaps the most enchanting. Scattered with herbs, hollies and veggies - it’s like something straight out of a fairytale. To begin planning your visit please hit the link here.
above: photo by Sonder Visuals via Ireland's Content Pool
Tour the Irish Workhouse Centre
From early 1840 to 1920, as many as 163 workhouses were operated in Ireland and all these years later, one of the best preserved can be found in Portumna, with all seven workhouse buildings still intact. To this day, the Irish Workhouse Centre tells the story of the workhouse poor, remembering those who are often lost and forgotten to history. During your visit, you can step inside of a real workhouse and see what living conditions were like for those who were once housed there. In the museum you will see exhibits of the artefacts that were part of their everyday life. For more information and to begin planning your visit please tap here.
Stay the night at Podumna Glamping Village
Set in the heart of Portumna town, Podumna Village offers visitors a very rare and unique experience. It's all the fun and feel of glamping in a woodland setting with the added convenience of a town central location. If you haven’t experienced it yet, ‘glamping’ is a great alternative way to go camping. Here you will stay in pods, huts or cabins, not tents. So there’s no canvas, no poles or tent pegs, no damp or draughts. Just all the fun of camping, without the hardship. To learn more and to book your stay please tap here.
Take a Stroll in Portumna Forest Park
Lace up your walking shoes because the 450 hectares covered by Portumna Forest Park will definitely draw you in. Dominated by ash and beech, with silver birch along the lakeshore, the park’s coniferous woodland provides the perfect escape from reality. With red squirrels, fallow deer, foxes and badgers roaming around right there with you, you’ll be in good company.
above: photo by Kerry Kissane All Around Ireland via Ireland's Content Pool
Cast out your Fishing Rod
As if all that good stuff wasn’t enough, Portumna is equipped with good fishing waters - so you’re going to want to bring the rod with you. With several hotspots for angling, Roger’s Island, Fairyhill and Salmon Run have great track records for some impressive shoals. If it’s a peaceful afternoon spent patiently waiting for a pull on the end of the rod, you’ll have plenty of spots to choose from in Portumna.
Set Sail on Lough Derg Bluewater
Whether you choose to explore the 13,000 hectares of stunning clear water by canoe, paddle board, bicycle or foot, the Bluewater is your to enjoy. Take things slow with a leisurely stroll or get your blood pumping in the water, there’s no right or wrong way to savour these scenes. An ideal location to make some lifelong memories, we’re definitely looking forward to our next trip to the countryside.
Browse the stalls of their weekly market
Famous for their sense of community spirit, you’ll definitely feel like a Portumna native at their country market, held every Friday morning in the Town Hall. Visitors and locals come together to browse through the many stalls filled with a wide range of goods including flowers, plants, home baking, preserves and crafts. We’re sure that once all this madness is over, they’ll be happier than ever to see some new faces around the market.
above: photo by Kerry Kissane All Around Ireland via Ireland's Content Pool
Feature photo by Kerry Kissane All Around Ireland via Ireland's Content Pool
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