The original structure was demolished sometime before the early 20th century, and its dressed stones were recycled to build the nearby Sandford’s Court. Writing in 1905, local historian Carrigan noted that the repurposed materials included finely cut quoins, window casings, and door frames; all telltale signs that the original castle was a building “of some pretensions.”

The castle’s exact location remained something of a mystery until relatively recent times. The second edition Ordnance Survey six-inch map marks a spot simply as “Castle (Site of),” but there’s nothing visible at ground level to confirm its presence. The landowner, however, made an intriguing discovery whilst carrying out drainage works in the area: massive buried walls that likely formed part of the castle’s foundations.

Today, visitors to this quiet corner of Kilkenny will find only reclaimed grassland with pleasant views stretching out in all directions. Yet beneath the soil lies evidence of a forgotten stronghold, its stones long since incorporated into the fabric of a newer building. It’s a reminder that Ireland’s medieval past often lies hidden just beneath the surface, waiting to be rediscovered through chance encounters with spades and drainage pipes.