Between 1964 and 1967, Marcus ó hEochaidh led excavations for the Office of Public Works in the castle vicinity, uncovering evidence of multiple phases of fortification. Though the full results remain unpublished, the work shed light on how this site evolved over centuries.

The excavations uncovered remains of a 17th-century bawn wall, the defensive perimeter that once protected the castle and its inhabitants. More intriguingly, evidence emerged of an even earlier bawn beneath it, suggesting the site had been fortified long before the structure visitors see today. The current bawn wall, it turns out, sits directly atop these older foundations discovered during the dig.

These findings, noted by researcher Sherlock in 2011, demonstrate how Irish castles often represent centuries of building, rebuilding, and adaptation. Each layer tells a story of changing defensive needs, architectural styles, and the families who called these fortifications home. The unpublished nature of the full excavation results leaves tantalising questions about what other secrets might lie beneath Bunratty’s grounds, waiting to add more chapters to this East Clare landmark’s long history.