Built sometime in the 16th century, this tower house once served as a stronghold for local chieftains during an era when such fortified residences were essential for survival. The castle’s strategic position allowed its inhabitants to monitor the surrounding countryside whilst providing a defensive advantage against raiders and rival clans.

Like many Irish tower houses of its period, Ballingowan Castle featured thick stone walls, narrow windows, and multiple floors connected by a spiral staircase. These architectural elements weren’t merely decorative; they served practical defensive purposes, with the narrow windows doubling as arrow loops and the spiral stairs designed to disadvantage right-handed attackers ascending clockwise. The castle would have originally included living quarters on the upper floors, storage areas below, and possibly a great hall for receiving visitors and conducting business.

Today, the castle stands partially ruined, its weathered stones bearing witness to centuries of Irish history. The structure likely fell into disrepair following the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in the 1650s, when many such fortifications were deliberately destroyed or abandoned. Despite its current state, Ballingowan Castle remains an evocative reminder of Kerry’s medieval past, when local lords ruled from stone towers and the landscape was dotted with these impressive defensive structures.