Ballynalackan / Ballinalacken Castle

15th Century Tower House

Standing in a dominant position on top of a steep-sided outcrop, this possible 15th century tower house may have been built by Lochlainn MacCon O'Connor. Later it passed into the hands of the O'Briens, Clare's most prominent family, who may have previously been receiving dues for the land. According to Westropp the castle was in a dilapidated state by 1654. After some repair and modifications, the tower house was occupied until the late 18th century.

The western section, and broader section, of the tower house rose to four storeys and contained the various halls of the castle. The narrow western section contained the bedrooms and the stairwell and was six storeys high. The ogee headed single loop on the first floor may have been intended to be double loop, a second lightly inscribed ogee can be seen in the image below left. Also on the third floor of the west wall is the large machicolation, pictured bottom right. The main entrance to the tower house was in the east wall and in the base of the south wall there was a garderobe chute. The narrow eastern tower appears to feature irish crenellations.