Built around 1570 by the O’Brien clan, who ruled this part of Munster for centuries, the castle served as both a defensive stronghold and a symbol of power along this windswept coastline. The four-storey structure features the typical elements of Irish tower houses of the period: thick limestone walls, narrow windows, and a strategic position overlooking Doughmore Bay.

The castle’s history reflects the broader changes that swept through Ireland during the early modern period. Originally constructed by Turlough MacMahon O’Brien, it passed through various hands as political fortunes shifted. During the Cromwellian conquest of the 1650s, the castle suffered damage but survived; unlike many Irish fortifications that were deliberately destroyed during this period. The O’Briens eventually lost control of the property, and by the 18th century it had fallen into disrepair, becoming part of the romantic ruins that dot the Irish landscape.

Today, visitors can explore the castle’s remains and imagine life within its walls centuries ago. The structure retains many original features, including a spiral staircase, murder holes above the entrance, and the remnants of domestic chambers where the castle’s inhabitants once lived. Its location near the modern Doonbeg Golf Resort makes it easily accessible, though it remains relatively unknown compared to more famous Irish castles; a quiet monument to the local families who once controlled this stretch of the Clare coast.