This earthwork, likely constructed as a defensive enclosure for the nearby castle, appears on early Ordnance Survey maps from the 19th century as a long, oval-shaped feature attached to the northern side of the castle ruins. The site sits in open pasture with commanding views across the surrounding countryside; a strategic position that would have been carefully chosen by its medieval builders.

What survives today is a roughly circular mound of earth and stone, though its outline has become quite irregular over the centuries. Dense scrub now obscures much of the monument, making it difficult to appreciate its original form without reference to historical maps. The earthwork probably served as an earth and stone bawn, a type of fortified enclosure common in Ireland that provided protection for livestock and residents during times of conflict. These defensive walls were essential features of Irish tower houses and castles, creating a secure compound around the main stronghold.

The site has undergone significant changes since it was first mapped in detail. The Athlone to Clara railway line, constructed in the 19th century, now runs within 10 metres of the monument’s northeast edge and actually cuts across the area where part of the bawn once stood. While the castle remains are found on the southern half of the mound, the full extent of the original fortification can only be imagined by combining field observation with historical cartography. Archaeological surveys conducted in 1973 documented the monument’s condition, though today aerial photography reveals little beyond the scrub coverage that has reclaimed this piece of medieval Westmeath.