The tower, measuring 9.65 metres east to west and 8.9 metres north to south, remains intact to its full height despite centuries of abandonment. A two-storey 19th-century house now abuts the north wall, whilst lean-to farm buildings have been constructed against the southern and western walls, evidence of the structure’s continued use long after its military significance had faded.

The castle’s interior reveals sophisticated medieval construction techniques, including a rounded, wicker-centred vault running east to west above the first floor, with a manhole near the southwest corner providing access to upper levels. Though the floors above haven’t been fully surveyed, there appears to be a second vault above the third floor. The original ground floor entrance at the west end of the north wall has been blocked, and entry is now gained through a large broken opening in the east wall. The defensive architecture includes single square-headed windows on all faces at third-floor level, whilst the fourth floor features more elaborate decoration: a triple ogee-headed window frame on the east face and tall single ogee-headed windows on the other sides.

This fortification served as a castle of the Mac Carthy Riabhach clan, one of the powerful Gaelic families who controlled much of County Cork during the medieval period. The structure demonstrates typical Irish tower house design of the late medieval period, with its combination of defensive features and relatively comfortable living spaces. Stairs to the wall walk at the northeast corner would have allowed defenders to patrol the battlements, whilst the multiple vaulted ceilings provided both structural strength and fire resistance; essential features for a building that needed to withstand both sieges and the test of time.