According to research by Risteárd Ua Cróinín and Martin Breen, this fortified residence would have served as both a defensive structure and a symbol of local power during turbulent times in Irish history. The castle’s strategic location allowed its inhabitants to monitor the surrounding countryside whilst maintaining control over their territorial holdings.

Archaeological evidence suggests the tower house dates from the 15th or 16th century, a period when such structures proliferated across the Irish landscape. The castle would have originally stood several storeys high, with thick limestone walls designed to withstand siege warfare. Living quarters occupied the upper floors, whilst the ground level likely housed storage areas and perhaps livestock during times of danger. Murder holes, narrow windows for archers, and a sturdy oak door would have provided multiple layers of defence against potential attackers.

Today, visitors to Ballyconneely can still trace the outline of the castle’s foundations and examine the remaining masonry work, which showcases the skilled craftsmanship of medieval Irish builders. The site offers a tangible connection to Clare’s feudal past, when local chieftains and Anglo-Norman families vied for control of the region’s rich agricultural lands. Though time and weather have reduced the castle to ruins, its stones continue to tell the story of a society shaped by conflict, kinship ties, and the constant need for fortified dwellings in medieval Ireland.