What remains of Murphystown Castle is modest; just portions of two granite walls, each about 1.1 metres thick, that once formed part of a probable tower house. Now located inside the entrance gate of the British Embassy, these weathered stones still bear traces of the vault that once covered the original ground floor, offering a glimpse into the defensive architecture typical of medieval Ireland.

The castle’s history is intertwined with the changing fortunes of local landowners. These lands once marked the western boundary of the Kill of the Grange demesne, passing through the hands of several notable families over the centuries. The Howels held the property first, followed by the Cruises, before the lands eventually came under the ownership of Christchurch Cathedral around the turn of the 20th century.

Though only ruins remain today, the castle fragment serves as a tangible link to Dublin’s medieval landscape. Historical surveys from 1945 and earlier accounts from the late 19th century have helped piece together what little we know about this structure, ensuring that even these modest remains contribute to our understanding of the area’s rich heritage. The castle’s survival, albeit partial, within the grounds of a modern embassy creates an intriguing juxtaposition of Ireland’s medieval past and its contemporary diplomatic present.