Though no stones remain visible today, this unassuming spot once hosted a defensive bawn; a fortified enclosure built from clay and stone that would have protected settlers during the early 17th century colonisation of Ulster. The hill still carries its evocative name, whilst a neighbouring field known as ‘Piers Field’ hints at the substantial structures that once stood here, complete with massive walls and imposing stone gateposts that would have marked the entrance to this frontier stronghold.

Archaeological records from the 1940s describe how these fortifications dominated the local landscape, serving as both a symbol of the new order and a practical refuge during a period of significant upheaval. Bawns like this one were essential features of the Plantation settlements, typically built alongside or near fortified houses to shelter livestock and provide a defensive position for colonists who found themselves in often hostile territory.

Today, the site presents an intriguing puzzle for visitors and historians alike. While the forest has grown up around Castle Hill, the area where the bawn once stood remains notably unplanted, as if the earth itself remembers the weight of those long vanished walls. It’s a reminder that even in places where physical traces have disappeared, the stories and place names endure, carrying forward the memory of Ireland’s complex colonial past through the generations.