Lying close to the pier are
the remains of the O'Cahane Castle which was an Elizabethan tower house. It is
mentioned in a list of Clare castles, compiled in 1576, when it was the property
of Siacus O'Cahane and described as 'a new castle, partly builded'. Little remains
today of this structure except two cellars or vaults. The Office of Public Works
has done some dressing of the stonework at the entrance to the vaults. It is likely
that the castle was constructed using stone from some of the ruined churches on
the island.