The general area is known, but the precise spot where this castle or tower house once stood remains a mystery, adding an air of intrigue to its already fragmentary history. According to research by Risteárd Ua Cróinín and Martin Breen in their unpublished report on Clare’s castles and tower houses, this structure was part of the county’s rich medieval heritage, though specific details about its construction and inhabitants remain elusive.

The uncertainty surrounding Doon House’s location speaks to a broader challenge in Irish archaeological studies; many of the country’s lesser-known defensive structures have vanished almost entirely from the landscape, leaving behind only vague references in historical documents and local memory. What we do know comes from dedicated researchers like Ua Cróinín and Breen, whose systematic cataloguing of Clare’s fortified buildings has helped preserve knowledge of sites that might otherwise be completely forgotten. Their work, compiled by Paul Walsh and made available in December 2014, represents an important effort to document these vanishing pieces of Ireland’s built heritage.

For those interested in exploring Clare’s medieval past, Doon House serves as a reminder that not all historical sites come with visitor centres and clear signage. Sometimes the most intriguing locations are those that require a bit of detective work, local knowledge, and imagination to appreciate. While you might not be able to pinpoint Doon House on a modern map, knowing that it once stood somewhere in this landscape adds another layer to understanding how densely populated with castles and tower houses medieval Clare once was.