Built during the late medieval period, likely in the 15th or 16th century, the castle served as both a defensive stronghold and a family residence for local Gaelic lords. The structure follows the typical design of Irish tower houses from this era, with its rectangular plan and multiple storeys that would have contained living quarters, storage areas, and defensive features.

The castle’s strategic position offered its inhabitants commanding views over the surrounding countryside, an essential advantage in the politically turbulent landscape of medieval Clare. Like many tower houses of its type, Ballykett Castle would have been the centre of local power, controlling the agricultural lands around it and providing protection for the extended household and tenants during raids or conflicts. The thick stone walls, narrow windows, and elevated entrance; all standard defensive features of the period; speak to the uncertain times in which it was constructed.

Today, the castle stands as a romantic ruin, its weathered stones telling the story of centuries of Irish history. While the roof has long since collapsed and the interior floors have vanished, the remaining walls give visitors a clear sense of the building’s original scale and importance. The site remains accessible to those interested in exploring Ireland’s medieval heritage, though care should be taken when approaching the structure due to its ruined state. Ballykett Castle joins the hundreds of similar tower houses scattered across the Irish landscape, each one a testament to the complex social and political structures that shaped medieval Ireland.