The square tower, measuring roughly 6.7 metres east to west and 6.5 metres north to south, likely served as an outer defence for the nearby Castlemartyr Castle, though its exact history remains elusive. Built with the typical defensive mindset of medieval Ireland, the tower’s ground floor entrance features a pointed arch doorway on the western wall, leading through a narrow passage into the main chamber.

The tower’s interior reveals the careful planning that went into these fortified residences. A mural staircase begins near the entrance, winding its way up through the thick walls to connect the various floors. Each level served a distinct purpose; the ground and first floors feature double-splayed windows that allowed defenders to watch for approaching threats whilst minimising their exposure. The second floor, accessed through what was likely a wooden trapdoor, boasts a bluntly pointed vault ceiling running north to south, a feature that helped support the upper floors whilst providing fire resistance. The stairs continue their journey upward, alternating between straight runs through the walls and spiral sections tucked into the corners.

The third floor clearly served as the principal living quarters, with larger windows on three sides providing better light and ventilation than the defensive slits below. A stone window seat remains visible in the eastern wall, where the tower’s occupants could sit and survey their lands. This level also contains a well-preserved garderobe chamber; essentially a medieval toilet with its stone seat still intact, accessed through a small mural chamber. From here, a final spiral stair leads to the wall walk at the top, where crenellations once provided cover for defenders. Interestingly, one of the merlons on the south wall was later converted into a bellcote, though the bell itself has long since vanished, leaving only this curious architectural adaptation as evidence of the tower’s evolving role through the centuries.