Back in 1739, a writer named Henry documented the existence of a redoubt; a type of small fort; at this location, though the exact spot remained uncertain until Davies tentatively linked it to the church site in 1948. The current church building dates from around 1800, but it’s what lies beneath that captures the imagination.

The mound itself measures approximately 36.5 metres across and rises nearly 4 metres high on its northern and western sides, where the land drops sharply towards a stream below. Davies noted several defensive features that might support the fortification theory: a slight indentation on the southwestern side and what appeared to be traces of a fosse, or defensive ditch, running as far as the eastern wall of the graveyard. These characteristics certainly suggest human modification of the landscape for defensive purposes.

Yet the mystery isn’t entirely solved. Davies believed the mound was artificially constructed, possibly as part of the original redoubt’s defences. However, this interpretation remains contentious, as the surrounding area contains several natural mounds with remarkably similar profiles. Whether this elevated position represents centuries old military engineering or simply fortunate geology that early settlers exploited remains an open question, adding another layer of intrigue to this Cavan village’s already rich historical tapestry.