Built in the 15th or 16th century, this fortified residence served as both a home and a strategic stronghold, controlling river traffic and protecting the surrounding lands. The castle’s relatively modest size belies its importance; it was part of a network of similar structures that dotted the Shannon’s banks, each one a testament to the complex web of alliances and rivalries that characterised Gaelic Ireland.

The castle’s architecture follows the typical pattern of Irish tower houses, with thick limestone walls, narrow windows, and multiple floors connected by a spiral staircase built into the wall’s thickness. What makes Moy Castle particularly interesting is its remarkable state of preservation; visitors can still see original features like the murder hole above the entrance, stone corbels that once supported wooden floors, and the remains of the battlement walkway. The ground floor, traditionally used for storage, features a distinctive vaulted ceiling, whilst the upper levels housed the living quarters, complete with fireplaces and window seats carved into the deep embrasures.

Local tradition associates the castle with various branches of the O’Brien dynasty, who dominated much of County Clare for centuries. The location was carefully chosen, offering clear views up and down the Shannon whilst remaining accessible to both river and land routes. Though it fell into disuse after the Cromwellian conquest of the 1650s, the castle has endured remarkably well, standing as a silent witness to the days when control of the Shannon meant control of much of western Ireland’s trade and communication.