Sadly the Baronial Hall is always seen as the poor relation in the Castle Complex. However it is within this edifice that the seat of power would have resided. The Lord of the manor would have entertained, lived, governed and plotted here. The nearby Donjon is a refuge and store but unfortunately has taken on a more important role because of the addition of a Victorian conceit to the top. If you wish to see what the Donjon probably looked like check out Knocka or Ballynahow Donjon's for comparison. In an 1840 description of the hall by ordnance Surveyor John O'Donovan, the two entrance towers straddling the gate were still existing and the interior of the Hall had been converted to a ball court. 

Here we have a series of close-ups taken from two Victorian photographs of the Castle complex over a period of time. We have two photo's for comparison. I can date the second photo to the Easons Collection 1900. Notice the extra windows in the Baronial Hall, an Archway that has now fallen and the bricking up and making good of the doorway. Those of you who are more astute will of course notice the ivy on the second photo. I wonder how long it takes to grow that much. You will also notice that part of an undercroft has fallen in the second photo. Visible also are the various putlogs used by the builders to insert their scaffolding. Judging by the size of the windows the apartments in the Hall would have been full of light. It's interesting also to note the combination of Romanesque and Gothic arches being used

Baronial Hall upper windows. Notice the bricked up Gothic Arch on the top

Denis O'Shea copy of H.G. LEASK PLAN - Nenagh ITA Report 06/08/1942

Plan of the 1996/97 excavations of the Baronial Hall