Though the castle itself has vanished from view, its location offers commanding views north and south along the valley, as well as westward across the river. The castle once stood at the western end of what is now a farmyard, though redevelopment in the 1950s has erased any visible traces at ground level.

Historical records provide tantalising glimpses of this lost stronghold. The Down Survey of 1655-6, one of Ireland’s earliest comprehensive land surveys, depicts “a Castle in repayre” in Connahy townland, accompanied by “some Cabbins” according to the accompanying terrier. This suggests the castle was still functional and inhabited in the mid-17th century, serving as a focal point for a small settlement. The structure belonged to the powerful Ormonde family until around 1700, reflecting the dynasty’s extensive landholdings throughout County Kilkenny during this period.

Local historian Carrigan, writing in 1905, noted that despite being recorded as “in repayre” during the Down Survey, the castle had by his time “all but entirely disappeared”. During the latter part of the 17th century and throughout most of the 18th, the castle served as home to what Carrigan described as “a very respectable branch of the Purcell family”. This transition from the Ormondes to the Purcells reflects the changing fortunes of Irish landed families in the post-Cromwellian period, when many properties changed hands as political and religious allegiances shifted.