The excavation, carried out under licence 05E0414ext. ahead of modern development, uncovered a distinctive curvilinear ditch that once formed either the original castle ringwork or part of its motte structure. This substantial defensive feature, measuring between 2.9 and 3.6 metres wide, enclosed a circular area approximately 30 metres in diameter, cutting directly through two earlier enclosures that had occupied the site.

The ditch fills have proven to be a treasure trove of information about daily life within the castle walls. Analysis of the deposits suggests they were formed by the dumping of domestic waste from the castle’s interior, preserving a snapshot of medieval diet and trade connections. Plant remains show that wheat was the predominant grain, supplemented by oats and cabbage, whilst abundant animal bones and oyster shells indicate a varied diet that included both meat and seafood.

Perhaps most intriguing are the pottery fragments recovered from the site, which reveal Killeen Castle’s place within extensive medieval trade networks. The ceramic assemblage includes imported wares that travelled considerable distances to reach this Irish stronghold; fine pottery from Saintonge and Orleans in France sits alongside vessels from Ham Green B and Chester in Britain. These finds, compiled by archaeologist Christine Baker in 2009, demonstrate that even smaller Irish castles like Killeen maintained connections with the wider medieval world, importing quality goods from across the Irish Sea and beyond.