This sturdy stone structure dates back to the medieval period, when such defensive residences were common throughout Ireland. The tower would have originally served as both a home and a fortress for a local landowning family, offering protection during the frequent raids and conflicts that characterised those turbulent centuries.

The building exemplifies the typical features of Irish tower houses from this era, with thick walls designed to withstand attack and narrow windows that could double as defensive positions. The term ‘bawn’ itself refers to the fortified enclosure that would have surrounded the tower; a defensive wall creating a protected courtyard where livestock could be secured and daily activities could continue even during times of unrest. Though much of the original bawn wall may have deteriorated over time, the tower itself remains as a testament to the strategic importance of this location.

Today, Bawn serves as a tangible link to Galway’s medieval past, when powerful families controlled territories through networks of such fortified dwellings. The surrounding landscape of Cregganna More would have looked quite different in centuries past, with the tower commanding views across agricultural lands and serving as a visible symbol of authority. While many similar structures throughout Ireland have fallen into complete ruin, Bawn continues to stand against the Galway weather, its weathered stones holding centuries of local history within their walls.