Built around 1320 by the Anglo-Norman de Exeter family, the fortress was strategically positioned to control this important river crossing and the surrounding fertile lands. The castle’s imposing stone walls and defensive features reflect the turbulent nature of medieval Mayo, where Gaelic Irish clans and Norman settlers vied for territorial control.

The castle changed hands numerous times throughout its history, bearing witness to some of Ireland’s most dramatic periods. During the 16th and 17th centuries, it became embroiled in the wider conflicts between English authority and Irish resistance. The fortress saw action during the Confederate Wars of the 1640s and later during the Williamite War, when it served as a stronghold for Jacobite forces before falling to King William’s army in 1691. Each occupation left its mark on the structure; you can still trace different building phases in the stonework, from the original medieval tower to later defensive modifications.

Today, the castle ruins offer visitors a glimpse into Ireland’s layered past. The remaining walls, though weathered by centuries of Mayo rain, still showcase medieval building techniques including murder holes, narrow arrow slits, and the remnants of a spiral staircase that once connected multiple floors. Local folklore speaks of underground passages linking the castle to nearby religious sites, though these tales remain unverified. The site, accessible to the public, provides an atmospheric setting where visitors can explore the physical remnants of Ireland’s complex history whilst enjoying views across the surrounding countryside that has changed little since medieval times.