Built during the late medieval period, the structure served as both a defensive fortification and a residence for local nobility, typical of the tower houses that dotted the Irish landscape between the 15th and 17th centuries. The castle’s strategic location allowed its inhabitants to oversee the surrounding countryside whilst maintaining control over important local trade routes and agricultural lands.

The architectural features of Primrosegrange Castle reflect the practical needs of its era; thick stone walls provided defence against raids, whilst narrow windows and murder holes offered protection for defenders. Like many Irish castles of its type, it would have originally stood several storeys high, with the ground floor used for storage and livestock, and the upper floors reserved for living quarters. The castle likely featured a spiral staircase built into the walls, designed to favour right-handed defenders descending from above, a clever defensive feature common to tower houses of this period.

Today, the castle stands as a reminder of Ireland’s turbulent past, when local chieftains and Anglo-Norman families vied for control of the countryside. Whilst time and weather have taken their toll on the structure, the remaining stonework continues to tell the story of medieval life in County Sligo. The castle’s presence in Primrosegrange adds to the rich tapestry of historical sites throughout the region, offering visitors a tangible connection to the families who once called these stone walls home and the communities that grew around such strongholds.