Tinnahinch castle is on the east bank of River Barrow, the county Carlow side of the river.
The name Tinnahinch comes from the Irish Tigh-na-hlnnse that means "House of the Island" and it refers to a previous castle built along the river further north.
It was built in 1615 by James Butler to control the passage over the river, but he lost his castle and his lands after joining the Confedarate War in 1641. It seems that the last occupant of the castle was locally known as Mad Butler and because of the scandals that involved his family he was burnt outside his own castle.
The castle was also burnt and it stands in ruins since 1700.
The building has lots of windows in the east-northeast (70°) and west-southwest (250°) walls, and a wonderful bartizan at the roof level on the north-northeast (25°) corner.
Inside the castle there's a thick vegetation and most of the walls are hidden.
It seems that a relatively modern lintelled doorway has been built in the north-northwest wall where the fireplace once was.
Grey herons and mallards can be observed on the nearby river.
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