This layered history site reveals traces of its original defensive architecture, with fragments of vaulted ceilings and two splayed windows still visible in the eastern wall. The accumulation of rubble around the site tells the story of centuries of construction, destruction, and abandonment.

The castle’s documented history stretches back to at least 1574, when it served as the stronghold of Thomas Keigh Burke. The Burkes were a powerful Norman family who had established themselves throughout Connacht following the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. Their castles dotted the landscape of Mayo, serving as both defensive fortifications and symbols of their authority over the surrounding territories.

Today, visitors to the site can trace the architectural evolution of this location; from medieval castle to the later Newbrook House, which itself now stands in ruins. The visible stonework offers a tangible connection to the Burke family’s presence in this part of Mayo, whilst the overlapping structures provide an intriguing example of how Irish buildings were often repurposed and rebuilt through the centuries, each generation leaving its mark upon the landscape.