From interpretation in Ballyheige: 'In Ireland, castles are associated with the arrival of the Anglo-Normans (1169). Their initial fortifications were wooden towers on top of earthen mounds with an associated courtyard - Motte and Bailey. Stone castle construction began in the late 12th century (1178). [I don't think I would make quite so much of the difference between 1169 and 1178 - it's only 9 years.] Ballyheige Castle follows the much later tradition of 'Castellated Houses', where pseudo-medieval features were added to an existing building. A Georgian mansion built in 1758, was 'castellated' in 1809 for Colonel James Crosbie [coincidentally the name of Gareth and Conor's grandfather] by the architects Richard and William Morrison. ... The castle was occupied until 1840 when fire damage forced Sir Rowland Chute to leave. The building was used as a prison by the English crown forces during the War of Independence in 1921 and was burned down by the IRA later that year. In the 1970s the structure was extensively reconstructed and renovated.'

As you look back along the strand towards Ballyheige, the castle stands proud above the seafront houses.

This is probably always a windy place. There are sheltered picnic areas scallopped out of the dunes and fenced with old railway sleepers.