Archaeological surveys have revealed an irregular-shaped defensive enclosure, its sod-covered stone foundations barely breaking the surface of the surrounding landscape. These subtle traces mark where protective walls once stood, creating a fortified space that was essential to the survival of early modern settlements in this part of western Ireland.

The bawn’s most prominent feature is a tower house positioned in its northwest sector, catalogued as MA118-039 in archaeological records. Tower houses were the preferred dwelling of the minor gentry and prosperous merchants from the 15th to 17th centuries, combining residential comfort with defensive capabilities. These vertical strongholds typically featured thick stone walls, narrow windows, and multiple floors accessed by spiral staircases, providing both security and status to their inhabitants.

This particular site was documented during an archaeological survey of Ballinrobe and its surrounding district, conducted by Lavelle in 1994. Bawns like this one served as fortified enclosures attached to castles or tower houses, offering protected space for livestock and supplies during times of conflict. They were particularly common during the plantation period, when new settlers required defensible homesteads in potentially hostile territory. Today, whilst the walls have crumbled and grass has reclaimed much of the stone, the site remains an important piece of Mayo’s archaeological heritage, offering tangible evidence of how people lived, worked, and defended themselves in centuries past.