The structure sits within the northeast corner of a large rectangular graveyard, commanding extensive views across the surrounding landscape where a stream meanders along the southeastern boundary before joining the Nore some 900 metres away. The site’s Irish name, Druim Deilgneach, meaning ‘the Thorny Ridge or Hillock’, perfectly captures the dramatic positioning of these ancient ruins between the steep river valley slopes and the broad plateau stretching southward.

Historical records from the Ordnance Survey Letters of 1839 describe finding ‘a bit of the wall of a Church’ with part of a castle wall joining at the east end, along with portions of a courtyard wall on the south side. The early OS maps show these structures in varying configurations; sometimes the church appears oriented northwest to southeast with the ‘castle’ directly adjoining it, whilst later revisions show them slightly separated with different orientations. What remains today is a fragment of exceptionally thick walling, measuring about 1.5 metres across, which once formed part of this mysterious secondary building.

Despite its romantic designation as a castle, archaeological evidence strongly suggests this structure served a far more modest, though no less interesting, purpose. Rather than housing medieval lords or defending against invaders, this building was most likely a residential tower for the local priest; essentially a presbytery where clergy could live close to their church whilst maintaining some degree of comfort and security. This interpretation makes particular sense given its intimate connection to the church ruins and its position within the consecrated ground of the graveyard, offering a fascinating glimpse into the daily lives of medieval Irish clergy who once called this thorny hillock home.