Only a stump of masonry remains on the seaward side, just inside where the land narrows to a slender neck, whilst grass-covered foundations trace the western perimeter of what was once a formidable coastal stronghold. Local tradition attributes the castle to the O’Cowhig family, though historian Thomas Johnson Westropp suggested in 1914 that it was more likely constructed by the Barry family, who held considerable power in the region during medieval times.

The castle’s strategic position on this exposed headland initially led archaeologists to wonder whether it might have been built atop an earlier promontory fort, a type of Iron Age defensive structure common along Ireland’s coast. Such locations, naturally defended by steep cliffs and requiring fortification only across their narrow landward approach, were favoured by ancient peoples and often reused by later inhabitants. However, investigations have revealed no clear evidence of these earlier defences; whilst researcher Casey noted some curious undulations on the landward side in 2003 that bore a passing resemblance to ancient enclosing banks, these features remain too ambiguous to confirm any prehistoric occupation.

Today, visitors to this windswept site can explore the sparse remains whilst imagining the castle in its heyday, when it would have commanded sweeping views of the sea approaches and served as both a defensive outpost and a symbol of its owners’ authority over this rugged stretch of Cork’s coastline.