These cropmarks, visible from above but invisible at ground level, trace out the remains of what appears to be a sophisticated defensive complex dating back to medieval times. The main feature is a rectangular moated site measuring roughly 60 metres northwest to southeast and 50 metres northeast to southwest, surrounded by two defensive ditches with a broad earthen bank between them.

What makes this site particularly intriguing is its apparent connection to both the nearby tower house and a medieval preceptory that once stood in the area. Preceptories were estates managed by military religious orders like the Knights Templar or Knights Hospitaller, and the defensive nature of this site certainly fits with their need for security. The moated enclosure wasn’t alone; attached to it was a second rectangular enclosure, similarly defended with double ditches and an intervening bank, measuring about 45 by 30 metres. This annexe suggests the site was more than just a simple fortification; it was likely a working estate with separate areas for different functions.

Though nothing remains visible on the surface today, the aerial photographs captured in the CUCAP survey reveal the impressive scale of these medieval earthworks. The double;ditch system, known as fosses in archaeological terms, would have created formidable water;filled barriers around the site, whilst the earthen banks between them provided elevated positions for defenders. Such elaborate fortifications speak to turbulent times when even religious estates required substantial defences, offering a fascinating glimpse into the militarised landscape of medieval Carlow.