Carrigafoyle Castle is a large tower house built in 1490. It is strategically located on a tidal salt marsh at the mouth of the River Shannon, overlooking the shipping lanes that supplied the city of Limerick.

In 1580, the castle was besieged by English forces during the crown’s campaign against the forces of Gerald Fitzgerald, 15th Earl of Desmond, known as the Desmond Wars. Artillery was used for the first time in the region. The stone walls were no match against such firepower, causing the west wall to collapse, crushing many inside. The remaining occupants of the castle were later executed.