This book addresses many of the questions posed by the building and situation of Portumna Castle, Co. Galway. The book"s introduction describes the building as "Irish and yet not Irish, a castle and yet not a castle, magnificent in scale," but only on Irish terms. The contributions explore the background to the planning and building of such a splendid symmetrical house west of the Shannon in the early 17th century. They examine the career of Richard Burke, fourth Earl of Clanricard, who commissioned the building in the context of his place in Irish society and his links with court circles in England.