These fortified enclosures, which were once common across the Irish countryside, served as defensive structures for the homes of English and Scottish settlers during the 16th and 17th centuries. The word ‘bawn’ itself comes from the Irish ‘bábhún’, meaning a fortified enclosure, and these structures typically consisted of high stone walls surrounding a manor house or castle, with defensive towers at the corners.

This particular bawn has been recognised for its historical significance and is protected under a preservation order issued in 1997. The National Monuments Acts, which have been in place since 1930 and updated as recently as 2014, ensure that structures like this remain protected for future generations to study and appreciate. These acts give the state powers to preserve, protect and acquire national monuments, preventing unauthorised interference or damage to sites deemed culturally important.

While many bawns across Ireland have crumbled or been dismantled over the centuries, the survival of examples like the one at Deerpark offers visitors a tangible connection to a complex period in Irish history. The fortified walls once sheltered colonist families from potential raids whilst also serving as symbols of control over the surrounding landscape; today they stand as archaeological remnants that help us understand the social and political dynamics of early modern Ireland.