The castle, which is encircled by a stream running from west through south to east, has witnessed centuries of turbulent history. Records show it was already standing in 1557 when it fell into the hands of the Lord Chief Justice, and by 1574, it had passed into the ownership of one Owen Omadyn. Today, this four-storey rectangular tower house measures 8.4 metres northeast to southwest and 6.7 metres across, its walls constructed from roughly coursed limestone that has weathered the centuries remarkably well.

The defensive features of Brackloon Castle reveal the uncertain times in which it was built. Entry through the modified pointed doorway in the southwest wall leads visitors into a lobby complete with an overhead murder hole; a stark reminder of the castle’s military purpose. From this entrance lobby, doorways branch off to a vaulted guardroom, a spiral staircase tucked into the southern corner, and the main ground floor chamber. The interior originally featured wooden floors supported by corbels, with the upper levels containing a main room and smaller chambers positioned above the entrance. Three fireplaces warmed the tower; one each on the first and third floors in the northeast wall, and another on the second floor in the southwest wall, with diagonal chimney stacks cleverly integrated into the structure.

What makes Brackloon Castle particularly noteworthy is its journey from medieval fortification to modern home. When inspected in the early 1990s, the tower house retained many of its original features including bartizans on the east and west corners, plus another positioned above the doorway at third floor level. The windows, plain and rectangular, sit within wide embrasures typical of defensive architecture. Following a comprehensive restoration programme, this piece of living history has been transformed from a partially ruined monument into a private residence, proving that Ireland’s medieval heritage can successfully adapt to contemporary life whilst preserving its authentic character.