This strategic positioning wasn’t merely for aesthetic purposes; the rocky elevation provided natural defensive advantages that medieval builders were quick to exploit. The tower house, which dates back centuries, was recorded in the Civil Survey of 1654-6 as a manor that remained in good repair and was actively garrisoned, suggesting its continued military and administrative importance during turbulent times.

The castle’s history during the 17th century offers a glimpse into the complex web of Irish land ownership and fortification. Anthony O’Dwyer, listed as the proprietor in 1640, would have overseen a structure that combined residential comfort with defensive necessity. The original bawn wall, typical of Irish tower houses, likely extended around the castle to create a fortified courtyard. Today, keen observers might spot remnants of these defensive walls incorporated into the modern farmyard that now occupies the north and east sides of the site.

The western approach to Clonyharp would have been particularly formidable to any would-be attackers. Here, the natural drop of the rock outcrop eliminated the need for substantial man-made fortifications, allowing the castle’s defenders to focus their resources on protecting more vulnerable approaches. This clever integration of natural topography with built defences exemplifies the practical ingenuity of medieval Irish castle builders, who understood that the landscape itself could serve as their first line of defence.