Fotos

The formal gardens of Portumna Castle were laid out in the 17th century and were the first Italian or Renaissance gardens to be introduced to Ireland. Sir John Danvers of Chelsea, was the first person in England to introduce Italian Gardens in the early 17th century, as recorded by John Aubrey in his manuscript A Natural History of Wiltshire, which also gave a detailed account of Sir John Danvers house and garden in Chelsea. The fourth Earl of Clanricarde was a friend of Sir John Danvers and shared his great love of gardens. It is reputed that the 4th Earl copied the style of Sir John's garden for his castle at Portumna. The stately gardens of the 17th century contained formal walks, arbours, parterres, hedges, fountains, artificial cascades, columns, statues, grottoes and similar puerilities. A Sidney Maskell was reputedly the landscape gardener that created the gardens at Portumna, front and rear.