This small tower house, likely built in the late 15th or early 16th century, represents the typical fortified residence of minor gentry during a turbulent period of Irish history. The structure consists of a rectangular tower measuring approximately 8.5 metres by 6.5 metres externally, with walls roughly 1.2 metres thick; sturdy enough to withstand raids but compact enough to be manageable for a family of moderate means.

The castle’s defensive features reveal the practical concerns of its builders. A murder hole above the entrance would have allowed defenders to drop stones or pour boiling liquids on unwelcome visitors, whilst the narrow spiral staircase in the north-east corner was deliberately designed to favour right-handed defenders descending from above. The ground floor, which likely served as storage, was originally accessed only from the first floor by ladder, a common security measure in Irish tower houses. Windows on the upper floors gradually increase in size, suggesting the builders balanced defensive needs with the desire for light and comfort in their living quarters.

Today, Caherhurly Castle remains largely intact up to its third floor, though the roof and internal floors have long since collapsed. The surrounding landscape hints at a once-larger complex; earthwork remains suggest the tower stood within a bawn, or fortified courtyard, where livestock could be protected during times of conflict. Local tradition associates the castle with various Clare families, particularly the O’Briens and MacNamaras, though documentary evidence remains elusive. Its position overlooking fertile farmland speaks to its dual role as both defensive stronghold and agricultural estate centre, a testament to the practical realities of life in medieval County Clare.