The site appears in the 17th-century Strafford Inquisition records, documenting its existence during a period when such defensive structures were essential for controlling territory and protecting landholdings. Built by the Burke family, one of the most powerful Anglo-Norman families in Connacht, the castle served as both a residence and a statement of authority in this rural corner of western Ireland.

Historical accounts from the turn of the 19th century provide fascinating details about the structure’s appearance before its destruction. McParlan’s 1802 description paints a picture of a modest but formidable tower house; a square castle measuring roughly 9 metres across and standing about 14 metres high, surrounded by a substantial defensive wall, or bawn, that reached nearly 3 metres in height. This arrangement was typical of Irish tower houses, where the bawn provided an enclosed courtyard for livestock and storage whilst offering the first line of defence against raiders.

By 1838, the castle had been demolished, though antiquarian John O’Donovan managed to observe some remnants of the bawn wall during his travels through the area. Today, no visible traces remain above ground at Carrickanass, leaving only the historical records and the site’s entry in the Archaeological Survey of Ireland to mark where this once-proud stronghold commanded views across the Carn River valley. The complete disappearance of such a substantial structure within just a few decades of the 19th century speaks to both the thoroughness of its demolition and perhaps the eagerness of locals to repurpose its stone for other building projects.