Bansha Castle was built circa 1760 on the site of the original 11th century castle. Extensively remodeled around 1830 and also in the early 1900s, it originally consisted of a late Georgian wing attached to a medieval tower house. The castle was the home of the O’Ryan family until late 1800s, when it was acquired by the British Government as a grace and favor house for General Sir William Butler on his retirement following the Boer war.