Built by Sir James Butler, father to the 8th Earl of Ormonde, shortly before his death in 1487, this limestone fortress once formed part of the Butler family’s extensive holdings in medieval Ireland. The castle appears on the Down Survey maps of 1655-6, where it’s recorded as being “in good repaire” under the ownership of Sir Edward Butler, who held it as proprietor in 1640.

The tower house measures approximately 12 by 10 metres and originally rose to at least three storeys beneath a stone vault, though the upper floors and battlements have since been lost to time. Built from roughly coursed limestone rubble with a distinctive base batter reaching about 3 metres in height, the structure shows its age through prominent cracks running up the eastern and western faces. The original entrance, located at the western end of the south wall, was cleverly defended by a murder hole positioned between the outer and inner doorways; a common defensive feature that allowed defenders to attack intruders from above.

Despite centuries of weathering and structural damage, including breached walls and missing door surrounds, the castle still reveals fascinating architectural details. A mural staircase rises through the western wall to connect the floors, whilst numerous loops and narrow windows provided both light and defensive positions. The building incorporated practical medieval amenities including a garderobe with its exit on the eastern wall. Particularly noteworthy are the angle loops positioned strategically at different floor levels in the corner angles, and the variety of window styles, from simple loops to chamfered flat-headed openings and one distinctive pointed window in the eastern wall at first floor level.