The original four-storey stone tower was built by the Shortall family, who held these lands for centuries as part of the Norman settlement of Ireland. Like many tower houses of its era, it served both as a fortified residence and a symbol of the family’s status in medieval Leinster.

The castle’s most striking feature today is actually its 19th-century makeover, when Victorian landowners wrapped the ancient tower in a Gothic Revival mansion complete with crenellated parapets, pointed arch windows, and decorative stonework typical of the period’s romantic interpretation of medieval architecture. This transformation reflects a broader trend across Ireland, where old Norman strongholds were reimagined as fashionable country houses during the economic boom that followed Catholic Emancipation. The juxtaposition of authentic medieval masonry with Victorian Gothic flourishes creates an intriguing architectural timeline; you can still trace the original tower’s thick walls and narrow window openings beneath the later embellishments.

Despite its grand appearance, Kilmurry Castle has been unoccupied since the early 20th century, leaving it in a state of atmospheric decay that draws photographers and history enthusiasts alike. The surrounding grounds contain remnants of formal gardens and outbuildings that hint at its days as a working estate, whilst local folklore speaks of underground passages connecting to nearby ruins, though these tales remain unverified. The castle sits on private land but can be viewed from the public road, offering passersby a glimpse of how Ireland’s medieval fortifications evolved through centuries of changing tastes, politics, and fortunes.