The original structure, a 16th century tower house, represents the typical defensive dwelling favoured by landowners during that turbulent period of Irish history. These vertical strongholds, built from local stone, served both as family homes and military fortifications, offering protection whilst asserting the owner’s status and control over the surrounding lands.

In the early 17th century, the castle underwent significant expansion with the addition of a fortified house, reflecting changing architectural tastes and defensive needs of the period. This later addition, now largely in ruins, would have provided more comfortable living quarters compared to the cramped confines of the medieval tower house. The fortified house style became popular amongst the Anglo-Irish gentry during this era, combining defensive features with more spacious, horizontal layouts that allowed for larger windows and improved domestic arrangements.

Today, the remains at Kilmurry offer visitors a chance to trace centuries of Irish history through stone and mortar. The contrast between the sturdy tower house and the crumbling fortified extension tells a story of adaptation, ambition, and ultimately abandonment. As documented by Barrington in 1976, these ruins serve as a tangible reminder of how Ireland’s landed families once lived, defended their holdings, and adapted their homes to meet the changing demands of successive centuries.