Built in the 15th or 16th century, this tower house was once home to the O’Brien clan, who ruled much of Clare for centuries. The castle’s strategic position overlooking the surrounding countryside would have given its inhabitants clear views of approaching visitors, whether friend or foe; a crucial advantage during an era when territorial disputes and cattle raids were commonplace.

The structure itself follows the typical design of Irish tower houses from this period, with thick limestone walls that have weathered five centuries of Atlantic storms. Originally, the castle would have stood four or five storeys tall, with the ground floor used for storage and livestock, whilst the upper floors housed the family’s living quarters. Today, though partially ruined, visitors can still see the remnants of narrow window openings, a spiral staircase tucked into the walls, and the corbels that once supported wooden floors between each level.

Local folklore tells of a hidden tunnel connecting Johns Castle to nearby structures, though no evidence of such passages has been found. The castle changed hands several times during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in the 1650s, eventually falling into disuse as more comfortable Georgian houses became fashionable amongst the landed gentry. Now surrounded by farmland, the ivy-covered ruins serve as a roosting spot for local birdlife and a compelling reminder of Clare’s medieval past for those who venture off the beaten track to find it.