During Ireland’s turbulent Plantation Era, trade continued to thrive throughout the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries between Ireland and continental Europe from ports such as Castille, Bordeaux, Antwerp and Hamburg.

Irish exports included hides, woollen cloth, linen, salted beef and fish. Imports from Europe encompassed manufactured high-end metalware, playing cards, silk, spices, dyes, wine, salt, lead, brass and iron.

For Culture Night 2026 Claíomh Mobile Museum will present a unique collection of original and museum-grade replica artefacts at Portumna Castle including armour, powder horns, coinage, dyes, ceramics and glassware to demonstrate the links between Ireland, Britain and Continental Europe c. 1550-1650.