The cropmarks trace out a circular enclosure, likely a bawn; a fortified courtyard that would have protected a castle and its inhabitants during Ireland’s turbulent medieval period. Though the castle building itself has vanished from view, these aerial images captured by Digital Globe show the foundations of a rectangular structure still etched into the landscape, preserved as subtle variations in crop growth that mark where ancient walls once stood.

The site has a documented history stretching back centuries. According to the Ordnance Survey Letters from 1837, as recorded by historian Herity in 2002, there were still substantial remains visible at that time: “In Rathascar T.L. are the ruins of a castle standing in the centre of a Fort or Mound”. This description paints a picture of a classic Irish castle complex, with the main building positioned strategically within protective earthworks. Unfortunately, both the castle ruins and the surrounding fortifications were levelled in 1984, erasing the last visible traces of this once imposing structure.

Despite the destruction of its above ground features, the site remains archaeologically significant. Subsurface remains likely survive beneath the modern ground level, preserving important evidence of medieval life and warfare in Kildare. The Irish government has recognised the site’s historical importance by placing it under a preservation order through the National Monuments Acts, ensuring legal protection since 1971. While visitors today would see little more than an ordinary field, the combination of aerial photography and historical records allows us to glimpse the fortress that once commanded this corner of the Irish countryside.