The building began life as an Anglo-Norman masonry castle, but underwent a dramatic transformation in the late 16th or early 17th century when it was extended and reimagined as a grand fortified residence in the Jacobean style. This architectural evolution reflects the changing political landscape of Ireland, as medieval defensive structures gave way to more comfortable, yet still fortified, manor houses.

The Jacobean additions brought sophisticated architectural elements to the older castle core, including a distinctive batter (sloped base) on the western wall for added structural support, soaring chimney stacks, decorative gables, and large transomed windows topped with hood mouldings; features that would have proclaimed the wealth and status of its inhabitants. The upper floors were constructed from timber, supported by substantial granite corbels projecting from the walls, though many of these stone brackets have since tumbled to the ground. An avenue still leads from the south front of the building up to the summit of Carbury Hill, suggesting this was likely where the main entrance once stood, though the exact location of the original doorway remains a mystery.

Today, nature has largely reclaimed this once-imposing residence. Vegetation grows thickly over the remaining structure, whilst fallen masonry lies scattered throughout the interior, obscuring many of the building’s original features. Despite its ruined state, the fortified house at Carbury remains a compelling monument to the complex layers of Irish history, where Norman conquest, English plantation, and local adaptation all left their mark on a single remarkable building.