According to research by Risteárd Ua Cróinín and Martin Breen, this rectangular structure measures approximately 8.4 metres by 6.6 metres externally, with walls reaching about 1.2 metres thick; typical dimensions for a defensive dwelling of its era. The castle rises to roughly 12 metres in height, though centuries of weathering have taken their toll on the upper portions of the structure.

The interior reveals the practical design common to Irish tower houses, with evidence of at least three storeys originally dividing the space. Stone corbels jutting from the walls once supported wooden floors, whilst a spiral staircase, now largely collapsed, provided access between levels. The ground floor likely served as storage, with living quarters occupying the upper floors where narrow window openings offered both light and defensive advantages. Interestingly, the castle shows signs of modification over time, including what appears to be a later addition of a small annexe on the eastern wall, suggesting the building remained in use well beyond its initial construction period.

Today, Ballynahinch Castle sits quietly in the Clare countryside, its ivy-clad walls and partially collapsed sections creating a romantic, if somewhat melancholy, reminder of Ireland’s turbulent past. The surrounding landscape has changed dramatically since the castle’s heyday; where once defensive considerations dictated isolated positioning, modern farms and fields now press close to its ancient stones. Local tradition holds various stories about the castle’s original owners and their fate, though documentary evidence remains frustratingly sparse, leaving much of Ballynahinch’s history to the imagination of visitors who stumble upon this forgotten fortress.