This small tower house, likely built in the 15th or 16th century, represents the type of fortified dwelling that once dotted the Irish countryside. Though now reduced to ruins, the castle’s surviving walls offer a glimpse into the lives of the minor gentry who would have called such structures home during a turbulent period of Irish history.

The castle’s simple rectangular design is typical of tower houses built during this era; sturdy stone walls that could withstand both the harsh Atlantic weather and potential raids from rival clans. What remains today suggests a structure that was once three or four storeys high, with narrow windows and thick walls that served both defensive and domestic purposes. The ground floor would have been used for storage, whilst the upper floors housed the living quarters, complete with a fireplace whose chimney can still be traced in the stonework.

Located in the rural landscape of Clare, Ballycorick Castle would have controlled a small territory, overseeing agricultural lands and serving as a symbol of authority for the local lord. Its position, whilst not commanding any major routes or strategic points, speaks to the proliferation of these tower houses throughout Ireland; each one a small centre of power in a complex web of allegiances and rivalries that characterised Gaelic and Anglo-Norman society. Today, visitors can freely explore the ruins, though care should be taken as the structure is unsecured and the stonework weathered by centuries of exposure.