This 16th-century tower house was built by the Burke family, who controlled much of this region during the turbulent years following the Norman invasion. The castle’s strategic position allowed its inhabitants to monitor boat traffic on the lough whilst maintaining defensive superiority over the surrounding countryside.

The tower house follows a typical Irish design of the period, rising four storeys with thick limestone walls that taper as they ascend. Inside, the castle retains many original features including a spiral staircase, murder holes above the entrance, and remnants of the wooden floors that once divided each level. The ground floor would have served as storage and possibly housed livestock during raids, whilst the upper floors contained the family’s living quarters, complete with fireplaces and narrow window seats carved into the stone walls.

Local folklore tells of a tunnel connecting Doon Castle to nearby Errew Abbey, though no archaeological evidence has been found to support this claim. The castle fell into disuse during the 17th century, likely abandoned after the Cromwellian conquest stripped many Catholic landowners of their properties. Today, visitors can explore the ruins freely; the structure remains remarkably intact despite centuries of weathering, offering glimpses of defensive architecture from an era when control of waterways meant control of commerce, communication, and power in medieval Ireland.