Historical records from 1538 mention ‘Teig O’hidriskoll’s goodly moated site’, which according to researcher Kelleher’s 2008 work, likely stood at this very spot. The O’Driscolls were one of the most powerful Gaelic families in southwest Ireland, controlling much of the coast and its lucrative fishing and trading routes from their various fortifications.

Just southeast of the main site, the remnants of stone walls still stand, possibly marking out what was once a bawn; a defensive courtyard typical of Irish tower houses and castles. These fortified enclosures served multiple purposes, from protecting livestock during raids to providing space for essential buildings and workshops. What makes this particular bawn intriguing is the suggestion that it may have contained an orchard, a detail that offers a glimpse into the daily life of the O’Driscoll clan beyond their military and maritime activities.

The presence of orchards at O’Driscoll fortifications appears to have been something of a family tradition, with sources indicating they maintained several such cultivated spaces across their territories. These orchards would have provided fresh fruit for the household, ingredients for brewing, and perhaps even a small income from surplus produce. The combination of defensive architecture with productive gardens shows how these sites weren’t merely military outposts but functioning estates that supported the extended families and retainers who lived within their walls.