This archaeological feature, measuring approximately 34.5 metres northwest to southeast and 33.4 metres northeast to southwest, was first spotted by Jean-Charles Caillère whilst browsing Google Earth imagery from 2014 and 2016. What appears as subtle marks in the landscape from above reveals itself to be something far more intriguing; a possible medieval moated site that once stood as a statement of power and protection in the Irish countryside.

The site’s outline becomes clearer when viewed through various satellite imagery taken between 2011 and 2013. Along the western and northern edges, faint traces suggest the presence of an ancient bank with an external fosse, essentially a defensive ditch that would have surrounded the enclosure. These earthwork features, though weathered by time and agriculture, remain visible as ghostly impressions in the field, with additional traces appearing at the northern end of the eastern side.

Moated sites like this one were typically built between the 13th and 14th centuries, often serving as fortified farmsteads for Anglo-Norman settlers or prosperous Irish families. The rectangular shape and defensive features suggest this was once a substantial dwelling, surrounded by a water-filled moat that provided both protection and a display of status. Today, whilst cattle graze above what remains of this medieval stronghold, modern technology allows us to peer through time and glimpse the defensive architecture that once dominated this corner of Galway.