Edward White held this fortification in 1585, during a period when English settlers and Irish chieftains vied for control of the countryside. By 1596, however, White had lost the castle to rebels, reflecting the constant shifts in power that characterised this era of Irish history. The castle stood on a gentle north-facing slope, taking advantage of the natural topography for defensive purposes.

What makes Ballinderry particularly intriguing is the uncertainty surrounding its exact form. Local tradition, recorded by historian Gannon in 1972, holds that the nearby rath, or ringfort, was actually regarded as the castle site. Within this ancient earthwork, a rectangular structure once stood; this was likely the castle itself, though it has since vanished from the landscape. This blending of medieval castle architecture with much older Iron Age fortifications wasn’t uncommon in Ireland, where builders often adapted existing defensive earthworks for their own purposes.

Today, whilst the physical structure no longer exists, the site remains legally protected under a preservation order from 1983. The monument continues to be studied by archaeologists and historians, with researchers like Michael Moore compiling detailed records of its history. Though visitors won’t find stone walls or towers at Ballinderry, the site serves as a reminder of how Ireland’s contested past has shaped its landscape, leaving traces that persist in local memory even after the buildings themselves have disappeared.