Built in 1625, this castellated house wasn’t constructed as a traditional tower house but rather as a semi-fortified residence, reflecting the transitional period when Irish landowners were moving away from purely defensive structures towards more comfortable homes. The original building’s proportions can still be traced in the front façade of today’s castle, offering visitors a glimpse into early 17th-century architectural preferences.

The castle’s development mirrors the changing fortunes and tastes of its inhabitants through the centuries. Around 1680, the owners undertook significant extensions, followed by further additions in 1720 and again in 1860, creating the multi-period structure visible today. Historical records from the Down Survey describe it simply as a ‘house’ and note a bridge over the River Derrin nearby; this contemporary description suggests the building was never heavily fortified, unlike many of its medieval predecessors scattered across the Irish countryside.

Today, Huntington Castle remains occupied, continuing its nearly 400-year tradition as a family home. While external examination reveals the various building phases and architectural styles accumulated over the centuries, the castle serves as a tangible link to Ireland’s complex past; from the uncertainties of the 1620s through the Restoration period, the Georgian era, and Victorian times, each leaving distinct architectural fingerprints on this remarkable Carlow landmark.