The surveyors noted its ‘very rude and rough appearance’, constructed from square and oblong limestone quarry blocks that lay irregularly without any trace of old mortar binding them together. This haphazard construction method suggests the wall was likely assembled quickly or perhaps served a temporary purpose.

Historical evidence points to this structure possibly being the remains of a bawn, a fortified enclosure that would have surrounded the castle grounds. Bawns were common defensive features in Irish castle complexes, particularly during the plantation period, providing protection for livestock and residents during raids. The limestone blocks described in the survey were probably sourced from local quarries, a practical choice given the abundance of limestone in the Dublin region.

Today, no visible traces of this wall remain above ground at Kilnamanagh. The site has been absorbed into modern development, leaving only the documentary evidence from the Ordnance Survey Letters to tell us about this lost piece of Dublin’s medieval landscape. This research was compiled by archaeologist Geraldine Stout, who has extensively documented similar defensive structures throughout County Dublin.