The original structure, a compact barrel-vaulted chamber measuring roughly 8.7 metres north to south and 3.6 metres east to west, was built from rubble masonry with impressively thick walls of 1.2 metres. Unlike many defensive structures of its era, this tower house lacks the typical base batter, the sloped foundation that helped deflect projectiles and strengthen castle walls.

The building’s defensive nature becomes clear when examining its original features. A square-headed doorway on the eastern sidewall, which now connects to the later house, appears to be part of the original medieval design. Evidence of blocked arrow loops can still be traced in both the western sidewall and the northern gable wall; these narrow openings once allowed defenders to fire upon attackers whilst remaining protected behind the thick stone walls. A wider doorway in the western wall appears to be a later modification, likely added when the structure’s military purpose gave way to more domestic uses.

This transformation from defensive stronghold to residential building reflects a pattern seen across Ireland, where medieval tower houses were often incorporated into later manor houses as the country became more peaceful. Rather than demolishing these sturdy structures, landowners pragmatically absorbed them into newer buildings, creating architectural hybrids that preserve fragments of Ireland’s turbulent medieval past within the fabric of more recent construction.