This ancient enclosure, defined by what archaeologists call a fosse, or defensive ditch, appears clearly in aerial photograph GB96.GD.14; a testament to how modern technology can unveil secrets hidden beneath centuries of agricultural activity. The rectilinear shape suggests this was once a fortified homestead, typical of Anglo-Norman settlements that dotted the Irish landscape from the 12th century onwards.

These moated sites were essentially medieval manor houses surrounded by water-filled ditches, serving both defensive and status purposes. The lords and wealthy farmers who built them were making a statement about their position in society whilst also creating a practical barrier against cattle raids and unwanted visitors. In Ireland, hundreds of these sites have been identified, particularly in counties like Kildare that saw significant Anglo-Norman settlement following the invasion of 1169.

What makes the Irishtown site particularly intriguing is how it has survived only as a cropmark; a shadow of its former self visible from above when conditions are just right. During dry spells, crops growing over the filled-in ditches show different growth patterns than those in the surrounding fields, revealing the precise layout of structures that vanished from ground level centuries ago. This archaeological feature, documented by Dr. Gillian Barrett in December 2011, offers a window into medieval Irish life and the complex relationship between native Irish and Norman settlers who shaped the cultural landscape of medieval Leinster.