Built sometime in the early 17th century, this defensive settlement served as both a residential complex and military stronghold during a particularly turbulent period in Irish history. The name 'bawn' itself derives from the Irish word 'bábhún', meaning a fortified enclosure; these structures typically consisted of high stone walls surrounding a courtyard, with defensive towers positioned at strategic corners.

The Inchiquin bawn was closely associated with the O'Brien family, who held the title of Barons Inchiquin and played a significant role in Clare's political landscape during the plantation era. Unlike many similar fortifications that fell into ruin, this particular bawn retained its defensive capabilities well into the Confederate Wars of the 1640s, when it witnessed several sieges and changes of ownership. The structure's walls, which originally stood at approximately 20 feet high, enclosed an area of roughly half an acre, providing ample space for livestock, supplies, and the manor house that once stood within.

Today, substantial portions of the bawn's perimeter walls remain intact, offering visitors a tangible connection to Ireland's complex colonial past. The surviving stonework displays the characteristic features of 17th-century Irish defensive architecture, including gun loops, narrow defensive windows, and the remnants of what appear to be flanking towers. Archaeological investigations have revealed evidence of earlier medieval structures on the site, suggesting that this hilltop location held strategic importance long before the O'Briens constructed their fortified residence here.