Writing in 1897, the antiquarian Mc Dix documented faint traces of what was once a bawn; a defensive wall that would have enclosed and protected a castle and its occupants during Ireland’s turbulent medieval and early modern periods. These fortified enclosures were once common features of the Irish landscape, particularly during the plantation era when settlers needed protection from raids and local unrest.

The only remnants Mc Dix could identify were slight surface traces to the west of Cheeverstown Castle, along with evidence of an old well. Today, even these modest signs have disappeared entirely, leaving no visible remains above ground. The site, catalogued as DU021-024001 in archaeological records, represents one of countless defensive structures that once dotted the Irish countryside but have since been claimed by time, agriculture, and development.

While the physical evidence may be gone, the historical record of the bawn at Cheeverstown offers a glimpse into how these lands were once organised for defence. Bawns typically featured high stone walls, sometimes with defensive towers at the corners, and provided refuge for cattle and people during attacks. The presence of a well within or near the bawn would have been essential for withstanding sieges, making Cheeverstown’s vanished fortification a once self-sufficient stronghold in what was then a far more dangerous Dublin countryside.