It is located 6 km west of Macroom, County Cork, Ireland, in an area once known as Gleann na n-Dearg ("valley of the reds").

After a protracted siege, their forces broke through the outer wall and burned the timber door at the north face entrance.

[5] The five storey tower is simple in design and positioned on a steep and high, jagged roche moutonnée, making approach for attackers difficult.

Carrigaphooca does not contain a fireplace, suggesting, according to a report by the Heritage Unit of Cork County Council, that it was "built more with protection in mind rather than comfort".

The windows on the northern and southern walls are significantly larger than on the other floors and give a panoramic view of the surrounding valley, as well as the distant the Killarney Paps and Mullaghanish.

[3] During the 1970s, the Office of Public Works undertook restoration of the site, and added a flight of steps leading over the rock base, joining with the main entrance.

[12] The restoration included the addition of narrow stepped turret to give access to the unguarded walk-way around the roof, although it was later blocked by a gate in the mid 1980s for safety reasons.