The coordinates that exist for this structure should be taken with a grain of salt; they’re more of an educated guess than a precise pin on the map. This uncertainty adds an intriguing layer of mystery to what was once likely a prominent defensive structure in the medieval Clare landscape.

The castle at Cahiracon represents one of many such fortifications that once dotted the Irish countryside, serving as both defensive strongholds and symbols of power for local lords. County Clare, with its strategic position along the Shannon Estuary and Atlantic coast, was home to numerous castles and tower houses throughout the medieval period. These structures ranged from simple stone towers to more elaborate fortified residences, each telling a story of territorial control, clan rivalries, and the complex political landscape of medieval Ireland.

What makes Cahiracon Castle particularly fascinating is how it has slipped through the historical record, leaving researchers like Risteárd Ua Cróinín and Martin Breen to piece together its story from scattered references and local knowledge. Their unpublished report on Clare’s castles and tower houses, compiled through careful fieldwork and archival research, represents the kind of dedicated local history work that helps preserve Ireland’s architectural heritage, even when the physical structures themselves may be difficult to locate or have fallen into ruin.