Built sometime in the 16th century, this four-storey structure follows the typical design of Irish tower houses from that period, with thick stone walls, narrow windows, and a defensive bawn that would have enclosed outbuildings and livestock. The castle’s strategic position near the lake provided both a reliable water source and a means of controlling movement through this part of Clare.

The tower house was likely constructed by a branch of the O’Grady or MacNamara families, who held sway over this region during the late medieval period. Like many similar fortifications across Ireland, Drumfinglash Castle represented both military might and social status; these structures served as centres of local administration where rents were collected, disputes settled, and allegiances maintained. The castle’s relatively intact walls still show evidence of its domestic arrangements, including a spiral staircase, fireplace remains, and the corbels that once supported wooden floors between levels.

Today, Drumfinglash Castle stands as a quiet reminder of Ireland’s tumultuous past, when local lords required fortified homes to protect their families and assert their authority. Though roofless and weathered by centuries of Atlantic storms, the castle’s sturdy construction has allowed it to survive where many similar structures have crumbled. Visitors can freely explore the ruins, which sit on private farmland but are accessible to those interested in experiencing this slice of Clare’s medieval heritage.