This four-storey tower house, dating likely to the 15th century, occupies a dramatic position between two bodies of water, with bare rock and improved pasture rising steeply behind it to the south. The castle’s northern wall has long since collapsed into the sea, leaving a partially intact structure that still reaches nearly eight metres at its highest point.

The castle’s history reads like a chronicle of Clare’s turbulent past, with ownership ping-ponging between various families over the centuries. Initially built by the O’Loughlins, who held it until 1584 when Turlough O’Loughlin met a grim fate; captured by Donal O’Brien of Ennistymon and later executed in Ennis. In 1622, James I granted the lands to Valentine Blake, though actual possession of the castle would pass between the O’Loughlins, Blakes, Neylons, MacNamaras, and possibly one John Tully throughout the 17th century. During the MacNamara tenure, it was known as Ballinacragga Castle after their former South Clare home. Captain Kirwan purchased the property from the Blakes in 1836 and undertook extensive refurbishments, though these improvements couldn’t prevent the north wall’s collapse in 1890.

What remains today offers fascinating insights into medieval defensive architecture. Built with mortared rubble limestone and finely cut quoins, the tower sits on a pronounced batter that projects a full metre outward. The interior reveals multiple floors connected by doorways through internal cross-walls, with narrow looped windows set in deep embrasures providing light to the lower levels. Upper floors feature later additions including a 17th-century fireplace and a three-light mullioned and transomed window with hood moulding. Intramural chambers are visible in the collapsed sections, whilst dressed corbels support what was once a parapet walkway complete with machicolations for dropping unpleasant surprises on unwelcome visitors. Despite centuries of Atlantic weather and structural decay, interior rendering still clings to many walls, a testament to the quality of medieval craftsmanship.