This tower house, likely built during the 15th or 16th century, represents a type of fortified residence that once dotted the Irish landscape. These structures served dual purposes; they were both defensive strongholds and comfortable homes for the Anglo-Norman and Gaelic families who controlled much of rural Ireland during the late medieval period.

The castle at Ballinlaw follows the typical design of Irish tower houses, with thick stone walls that could withstand attack and narrow windows that served as both lookout points and defensive positions. Originally, it would have stood several storeys high, with the ground floor used for storage, the first floor serving as the main hall for receiving guests and conducting business, and the upper levels providing private chambers for the family. The structure would have been topped with battlements and possibly a wall walk, allowing defenders to patrol and protect the building from raiders or rival clans.

Today, the castle stands as a romantic ruin, its weathered stones telling stories of centuries past. The surrounding landscape has changed dramatically since its heyday; where once there might have been a bustling settlement with farms, workshops, and defensive outbuildings, now peaceful fields stretch in all directions. For history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike, Ballinlaw Castle offers a tangible connection to medieval Ireland, when local lords ruled from these imposing stone towers and the countryside was a patchwork of competing territories and allegiances.