Built sometime in the early 17th century, this tower house served as the seat of the Barrett family, Anglo-Norman settlers who had established themselves as significant landowners in the region. The castle’s strategic position offered commanding views across the surrounding countryside, making it both a comfortable residence and a defensive stronghold during turbulent times.

The Barretts, like many Anglo-Norman families in Ireland, had become thoroughly Hibernicised by the time Myles Barrett constructed his castle, adopting Irish customs whilst maintaining their political allegiances. The castle itself reflected this dual identity; built in the traditional Irish tower house style but incorporating English architectural elements that were becoming fashionable among the landed gentry. During the Confederate Wars of the 1640s, the castle played a role in local conflicts, with the Barretts attempting to navigate the complex political landscape of the period, though ultimately their fortunes declined during the Cromwellian conquest when many Catholic landowners lost their estates.

Today, only fragments of the castle remain, with portions of the walls and foundations still visible amongst the grass and brambles. Archaeological surveys have revealed evidence of a bawn wall that once enclosed the tower house, along with traces of outbuildings that would have supported daily life in the castle. Local tradition holds that underground passages once connected the castle to nearby structures, though these tales remain unverified. The site, whilst largely forgotten compared to grander castles elsewhere in Ireland, offers a glimpse into the lives of the minor gentry who shaped the social and political landscape of 17th century Mayo.