The castle first appears in historical records in 1548, when William Hore of Harperstown received a grant for the building and surrounding lands. The rectangular structure, measuring roughly 10.8 metres north to south and 10.3 metres east to west, remains complete up to its wall-walk level, with sturdy granite quoins marking its corners and walls that slope outward at the base for added stability.

The castle’s defensive features reveal the careful thought that went into protecting its inhabitants. The original round-headed doorway on the eastern wall, now permanently sealed, was once guarded by multiple layers of security: a machicolation on the parapet above allowed defenders to drop objects on attackers, whilst a portcullis and murder hole in the entrance lobby provided additional protection. Inside, the ground floor was deliberately kept sparse, with no windows but featuring double-splayed loops and gun-loops for defence. A mural staircase built into the eastern wall connects the castle’s five levels, each serving distinct purposes from storage and defence on the lower floors to comfortable living quarters above.

The upper floors showcase the dual nature of tower houses as both fortifications and residences. The second and third floors contain fireplaces, windows with built-in seats, and garderobes, whilst maintaining defensive elements like gun-loops and spy-holes. The fourth floor, likely the lord’s private chambers, features the most refined amenities including a double-light window, fireplace, and garderobe. Archaeological evidence suggests the castle once had hidden chambers, possibly including an oubliette between the third and fourth floors. Though the parapet no longer survives intact, fragments of machicolations at the northwest and southeast corners hint at the formidable defensive crown that once topped this impressive structure.