Though the building itself has long since vanished, its appearance survives thanks to an 18th-century illustration that offers a tantalising glimpse into the urban landscape of centuries past. The drawing depicts a substantial stone structure of at least three storeys, complete with defensive battlements crowning its top and a distinctive sloping base, known as a batter, which helped strengthen the tower against attack.

The illustration reveals fascinating details about how this military structure evolved over time. While the original medieval features included a single round-headed window opening, by the early 1700s the building had been considerably domesticated. The street-facing walls showed clear signs of Georgian gentrification; a proper doorway had been inserted at ground level, glazed windows brought light into what were once defensive spaces, and an elegant oriel window projected from the facade, adding both style and extra room to the interior.

This transformation from fortress to townhouse tells a broader story about Ireland’s changing society. As the need for urban defences diminished, these tower houses, originally built by Anglo-Norman settlers and Gaelic lords alike, were adapted for more comfortable living. The Cloyne tower house stood as a physical reminder of the town’s medieval past well into the 18th century, its battlements and thick walls a stark contrast to the increasingly refined domestic architecture growing up around it.