The rectangular building, which runs north to south, features thick walls built from coursed limestone rubble, with the distinctive base-batter still visible at the northeastern corner where a tower may once have stood. By 1654, when the Civil Survey documented the lands of Ireland, this structure was already described as 'a castle out of repaire', suggesting it had seen better days even three and a half centuries ago.

The castle's history connects to the powerful Butler family; James Butler held the property in 1640, placing it firmly within the orbit of one of Ireland's most influential Anglo-Norman dynasties. The Butlers controlled vast swathes of land across Tipperary and beyond, and this castle would have served as one of many strategic holdings in their territorial network. The undulating countryside around the Black River provided both natural defences and productive agricultural land, making it an ideal location for a fortified residence during the turbulent medieval period.

What remains today offers tantalising glimpses into its original form, though much has been lost to time. Unlike many Irish tower houses and castles of the period, there's no evidence of an attached bawn; the protective walled courtyard that typically surrounded such buildings. This absence is noteworthy, as bawns were common defensive features that sheltered livestock and provided additional protection during raids. The castle's poor preservation means many questions about its original appearance and function remain unanswered, but its ruins continue to mark the landscape as a reminder of Tipperary's medieval past.