This tower house, likely built during the 15th or 16th century, served as both a defensive stronghold and a residence for a local Gaelic or Anglo-Norman family. The castle’s strategic position would have allowed its inhabitants to oversee the surrounding farmland whilst maintaining a secure base during the turbulent centuries when such fortified homes were essential for survival.

The structure itself follows the typical design of Irish tower houses from this period, with thick stone walls that taper slightly as they rise. Originally, the castle would have contained multiple floors connected by a spiral staircase built into the walls, with the ground floor used for storage and the upper levels serving as living quarters. Windows would have been small and narrow on the lower levels for defence, becoming larger on the upper floors where natural light was more important than security. Though now partially ruined, visitors can still make out key architectural features including the remains of murder holes, where defenders could attack intruders from above, and the corbels that once supported wooden floors.

Today, Tooloobaun Castle stands as a silent witness to centuries of Irish history, from clan warfare through to the Cromwellian conquest and beyond. The ivy-covered walls and weathered stones tell the story of a building that has endured abandonment and the harsh Atlantic weather for hundreds of years. Whilst it may lack the grandeur of larger castles, this modest tower house offers an authentic glimpse into how the lesser nobility and wealthy landowners of medieval Ireland actually lived, making it a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in the country’s architectural and social history.