This rectangular tower house, measuring 9.1 metres north to south and 11.4 metres east to west, was once the stronghold of the O’Driscoll clan, who reportedly built it in 1495. Though only two storeys remain today, evidence suggests the castle originally stood at least one storey higher, testament to the defensive ambitions of this powerful seafaring family who controlled much of the coastline in medieval West Cork.

The castle’s architecture reveals typical late medieval Irish construction techniques. Two doors pierce the eastern wall, positioned directly above one another at ground and first floor levels, with the upper entrance featuring a pointed arch. The windows throughout are characteristic of the period, with square-headed lights set within splayed and lintelled embrasures that would have provided both light and defensive positions. A particularly notable feature is the pointed vault covering the first floor, constructed using wicker centering and running along an east-west axis; a sophisticated engineering solution that has survived over five centuries.

The internal layout includes mural stairs that begin at the south side of the first floor doorway and ascend to the southeast corner, though the wall is now broken at this point. Archaeological excavations conducted in 2004 have added to our understanding of the site, building upon earlier research by Coleman in 1926. As part of the extensive network of O’Driscoll castles that once dotted this coastline, Rincolisky offers visitors a glimpse into the maritime power and architectural prowess of one of Ireland’s most notable Gaelic clans.