Historical records from 1574 identify this site as ‘Dunery’ castle, which was then under the ownership of Carbery Mc Egan and a group referred to as ‘ye Judges’. The Mc Egans were a prominent Gaelic family who served as hereditary brehons, or judges, under the ancient Irish legal system, making this connection particularly intriguing for understanding the intersection of Gaelic law and fortified settlements in 16th century Ireland.

Today, visitors to the site will find only the low foundations of what was once a formidable structure. The surviving wall foundations form an almost circular footprint, measuring approximately 16 metres north to south and 15 metres east to west on the interior. The walls themselves, about 80 centimetres wide and standing just 60 centimetres high, are now heavily covered in grass and partially hidden by vegetation. Time and weather have taken their toll; the southeastern section of the wall has been completely removed, leaving a gap in the circuit.

The interior of the castle foundation sits slightly lower than the surrounding ground level, creating a subtle depression that marks where the fortress once stood. This archaeological feature, documented by the Galway Archaeological Survey at University College Galway, offers a tangible link to the complex political landscape of Tudor Ireland, when Gaelic lords like the Mc Egans maintained their traditional roles whilst navigating the expanding influence of English administration.