This was designed by C. E. Stanier of London, and completed in 1911, with a central section resting on Hayes's Island which divides the river into two channels.

Designed by the Poor Law Commissioners' architect George Wilkinson, the building was intended to accommodate 600 inmates who were badly affected by the lack of both employment and food at the time.

The castle is actually a semi-fortified house and was built before 1618 by Richard Burke or de Burgo, the 4th Earl of Clanricarde.

The bones of the dog, called "Fury" according to a marker stone erected at the time of his death, have been found during excavations, and are now on display in the castle itself.

[citation needed] Today, Portumna Castle is a heritage museum of the Flight of the Wild Geese.

Portumna forest park is located on the southwestern edge of the town, on the northern shore of Lough Derg.

The park spans almost 600 hectares (1,500 acres) and formed part of the lands of the Earl of Clanricarde, who was seated at Portumna Castle.

In addition to woodlands there are wide open spaces, green fields, scrub, marsh, water and numerous off-shore islands.

This inter mix of forest, open area, water and islands gives a wide choice of habitat to support a great variety of flora and fauna.

These are Connacht Harbour, accessed via the river, which is beside Bridge Road, on the eastern side of the town, and Portumna (or 'New') Harbour which is on the northern shore of Lough Derg beside Castle Avenue, adjacent to the castle and the forest park on the southern edge of the town.

Pleasure craft can be privately hired at Emerald Star Line cruisers at Connacht Harbour.

[10] The town is home to the 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2014 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship winners, Portumna GAA.

A number of Portumna players, including Joe Canning, have been members of the Galway senior panel.

[citation needed] The club has a 3G astro turf facility and in 2013 a senior team was started up to compete in the North Tipperary League.

[citation needed] There are several angling spots near Portumna – a number of which are official match stretches located on the River Shannon itself and the northern shores of Lough Derg.

[citation needed] Portumna Golf Club (founded in 1913) and its 18-hole parkland golf course (par 72), set within the 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) Portumna Forest Park, is located on the western approach to the town, approximately two kilometres from the town centre on the Ennis/Gort road.

[citation needed] In August 1985 the three Scout Associations in Ireland (CBSI, SAI, and NISC) held a major Jamboree at Portumna to celebrate International Youth Year.