ABOUT US
Portumna Castle Crafts and Garden has been running successfully since 1997.
Located in the restored kitchen garden at Portumna Castle and at the Craft Training Centre at Abbey Street, Portumna. Aiming to provide training for people of all ages and abilities interested in developing skills in rural and garden crafts or pursuing a career in organic horticulture.
Here's a list of our achievements
FAS West Region Community Initiative Award 1999 and 2001
Millenium Recognition Award 2000
Gulbenkian Civic Trust Environmental Award 2000
AIB and Farmers Journal Tourism Award 2000
Heritge Council Award 2002
Featured on "Nationwide", 21 July 2000
Featured in Farmers Journal, Irish Examiner, Irish Times and Organic Matters
Promotion of successful craft fairs in the Shannon Oaks Hotel in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002
Participation in Duchas Heritage Day, at Portumna Castle in 2000 and 2001
Promotion and organisation of regular classes in art, pottery, rushwork, weaving and organic gardening and
occasional classes in basketry, greenwood furniture, astronomy, wild life and self awareness.
Provision of training on organic horticulture and traditional rural crafts for paticipants on FAS Community Employment Schemes
Sponsers of Student Summer Job Scheme
Provide Facilites and instruction for transition year and special needs students from Portumna Community College
Supervising work experience for participants in PLC E-Business course at Potumna Community College.
Also providing work experience for transition years and special needs students.
Accomodating educational tours from primary and secondary schools
Host to visiting interest groups from home and abroad
Production and marketing of craft and garden produce
Conducting Smallholders Programme in conjunction with Galway Rural Development
to provide participants with an opportunity to complete a certified course in
organic horticulture over a forty week period
National Winner (Heritage Category) ESB/CVI Environmental Award 2002