Built in the 16th century by the O’Donovan family, this tower house represents the typical defensive architecture of Gaelic Ireland during a period when local chieftains needed fortified homes to protect their lands and people. The castle’s strategic location in Park West allowed its inhabitants to oversee the surrounding countryside whilst maintaining a defensive position against potential raiders.

The structure itself follows the classic Irish tower house design, with thick limestone walls, narrow windows, and a rectangular plan that rises several storeys high. Originally, the castle would have featured wooden floors dividing each level, with the ground floor likely used for storage and livestock, whilst the upper floors served as living quarters for the family. The distinctive murder hole above the entrance and the spiral staircase, designed to favour right-handed defenders, speak to an era when home defence was a primary architectural consideration.

Though now roofless and partially ruined, Park Castle remains an evocative reminder of medieval Irish life. The castle changed hands multiple times throughout its history, particularly during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in the 1650s, when many such fortifications were deliberately damaged or destroyed. Today, visitors can still explore the remaining walls and imagine the bustling household that once occupied these rooms, complete with servants, soldiers, and the extended family networks that characterised Gaelic society. The ivy-covered stones and peaceful rural setting offer a stark contrast to the castle’s martial origins, creating a contemplative space where Irish history feels tangible and immediate.