This fifteenth-century structure, designated as National Monument no. 102, offers a fascinating glimpse into medieval defensive architecture. The tower’s western wall features a distinctive steep external batter, a defensive design element that would have made scaling the walls considerably more difficult for potential attackers.

The interior reveals the careful planning that went into these medieval fortifications. The main chamber boasts a vaulted ceiling, a testament to the engineering skills of its builders, whilst a doorway on the northern side once led to a staircase providing access to the upper levels. The first floor’s eastern wall contains a particularly fine twin-light window, one of the few original features that has survived the centuries intact. Much of what visitors see today includes modern reconstructions, carefully undertaken to preserve this important piece of Mayo’s medieval heritage.

Archaeological surveys have helped piece together the tower’s place in the broader landscape of Inishmaine and the surrounding Ballinrobe district, including the areas around Lough Mask and Lough Carra. The structure likely served as both a defensive position and a symbol of authority, controlling access to the abbey and demonstrating the power of those who built it during the tumultuous fifteenth century.