These ivy-covered fragments are all that remain of what was likely an O’Mahony stronghold, before it passed into the hands of the MacCarthy Muclagh family. The tower’s north wall still rises an impressive three storeys, stretching 14.5 metres from east to west, with the eastern and western walls extending 3.8 and 7 metres respectively from its corners.

The castle’s defensive architecture reveals fascinating details about life in a medieval tower house. A pointed arch doorway near the northern end of the west wall, now blocked by a later farm building, once provided ground floor access. Inside, the western end of the north wall curves to accommodate a spiral stairwell; you can still spot the western door jamb at first floor level where residents would have emerged from the stairs. The central window features a splayed, lintelled embrasure typical of the period, whilst the second floor preserves part of a segmental vaulted window opening to the east of centre.

Perhaps most intriguing are the gable-shaped gun loops that angle downwards from the second floor level on the external wall face, marking the transition from purely medieval defences to early modern warfare. These would have allowed defenders to fire on attackers approaching the castle walls. For the more practical aspects of castle life, a garderobe chute near the eastern end of the north face shows where the medieval toilet facilities were located, efficiently disposing of waste outside the living quarters.