Sitting prominently on a hill overlooking a gorgeous little bay with views across the Irish Sea to the Iveragh Peninsula, Minard castle commands your attention. It is one of only three of the mid-16th century Fitzgerald castles built on Dingle Peninsula (Rahinnane and Gallarus being the other two) with substantial remains. The castle ruins consist of a rectangular tower house constructed from roughly dressed sandstone blocks laid in a strong mortar.

Three stories of the castle survive, but it is believed that there was a 4th story or attic space above those. The first & second stories were vaulted. The strength of this castle was demonstrated when in 1650 Cromwell's Army detonated charges at each of it’s corners yet the castle still stood. However, all occupants of the castle were subsequently killed and the structural damage done made the building uninhabitable.

You can drive all the way down to this ruin but please be aware the street can be very narrow so you might need to backup.