Irish Workhouse Centre - Portumna

01/10/2026

The Irish Workhouse Centre will be closed on Tuesday the 6th of October 2026 from 9.30 to 1pm to facilitate Staff Training. Our doors will open to the public at 1.30pm. Apologies for any inconvenience that this may cause.

26/08/2026

Reminder: The Annual General Meeting of South East Galway Integrated Rural Development Clg will be held in the boardroom of the Irish Workhouse Centre, Portumna on Thursday 27th August 2026 at 7.30pm.

26/08/2026

"This tour is a MUST when visiting Portumna."

Thank you Rachel Beresford, Lifestyle Editor.

Visit Portumna Portumna, Co. Galway Discover Lough Derg

Rachel Beresford recently brought an end to her summer with a two-night break taking in Galway, Clare and Tipperary – here are her recommendations...

20/08/2026

Applications are open for our University of Limerick Certificate in Local History (Academic year 2026-2027) hosted at the Irish Workhouse Centre, Portumna, Co. Galway. One evening per week commencing early September 2026.
For further details and to apply, click on the following link and click on the 'apply' button:
https://www.ul.ie/.../pos.../local-history-certificate/apply See less

15/08/2026

Join us at the Irish Workhouse Centre, Portumna from today until 23rd of August and enjoy our programme of Heritage Week events. Don't miss the opportunity to take part in our free 2:00pm guided tour throughout the week.

Here's the full programme:

🚢 Tuesday the 18th August 2026 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm “Earl Grey Scheme”
Talk – Question & Answer Session
💉 Wednesday the 19th August 2026 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm “ Medicine in the 19th Century”
Talk – Question & Answer Session
🔩 Wednesday the 19th August 2026 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm “From Preservation to Progress, 20 years behind us, 20 years ahead”
Talk - Hosted by Dr Christy Cunniffe
🖼 Thursday the 20th August 2026 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm “ Artifacts in the Workhouse Museum”
Talk – Question & Answer Session
📜 Sunday the 23rd August 2026 - 1:00 pm – 2:00 “The Life & Times of Pavel Strzelecki”
Talk – Question & Answer Session

We look forward to seeing you.

14/08/2026

The Irish Workhouse Centre was delighted to welcome today, Brian P. Kelly. President of the Galway Association of New York and Michael Lucas. The Galway Association of New York has been very supportive of our on-going fundraising campaign to restore our Dining Hall/Chapel.

Photo: Brian P. Kelly. Christy Cunniffe, Director IWC, Michael Lucas, Donal Bourke, Manager IWC. Absent from photograph: Martin Shiel - Chairman IWC

14/08/2026

National Heritage Week 2026 in Galway: Top seven events from ancestral tracing to harp performances

National Heritage Week is happening from August 15 to August 23 and events around Galway are inviting participants to reflect on the responsibility of keeping heritage alive.

13/08/2026

The countdown to National Heritage Week has begun.

From 15th to 23rd August, we're looking forward to welcoming visitors to the Irish Workhouse Centre, Portumna for a week of special events. Our 2:00pm guided tour is free every day during Heritage Week.

Our events include:

🚢 Tuesday the 18th August 2026 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm “Earl Grey Scheme”
Talk – Question & Answer Session
💉 Wednesday the 19th August 2026 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm “ Medicine in the 19th Century”
Talk – Question & Answer Session
🔩 Wednesday the 19th August 2026 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm “From Preservation to Progress, 20 years behind us, 20 years ahead”
Talk - Hosted by Dr Christy Cunniffe
🖼 Thursday the 20th August 2026 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm “ Artifacts in the Workhouse Museum”
Talk – Question & Answer Session
📜 Sunday the 23rd August 2026 - 1:00 pm – 2:00 “The Life & Times of Pavel Strzelecki”
Talk – Question & Answer Session

We hope you'll join us.

10/08/2026

Have you made your plans for National Heritage Week?

There's something for everyone at the Irish Workhouse Centre, Portumna from 15th to 23rd August.

Don't forget our free 2:00pm guided tour throughout Heritage Week.

Our programme includes:

🚢 Tuesday the 18th August 2026 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm “Earl Grey Scheme”
Talk – Question & Answer Session
💉 Wednesday the 19th August 2026 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm “ Medicine in the 19th Century”
Talk – Question & Answer Session
🔩 Wednesday the 19th August 2026 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm “From Preservation to Progress, 20 years behind us, 20 years ahead”
Talk - Hosted by Dr Christy Cunniffe
🖼 Thursday the 20th August 2026 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm “ Artifacts in the Workhouse Museum”
Talk – Question & Answer Session
📜 Sunday the 23rd August 2026 - 1:00 pm – 2:00 “The Life & Times of Pavel Strzelecki”
Talk – Question & Answer Session

We hope to see you then.