Bawn, Galesquarter, Co. Laois
In the townland of Galesquarter, County Laois, the remains of an impressive defensive fortification tell the story of Ireland's turbulent past.
Bawn, Galesquarter, Co. Laois
This large bawn wall, measuring approximately 80 metres north to south and 60 metres east to west, stands as one of the better preserved examples of its kind in the region. What makes this structure particularly interesting is its unusual seven-sided design; most bawns were built as simple rectangles or squares. The thick walls, measuring about 1.1 metres across, were clearly built to withstand assault, with gun loops positioned at the northern and eastern sections allowing defenders to fire upon approaching enemies whilst remaining protected behind the stonework.
The bawn originally served as an outer defensive perimeter for a tower house that once dominated this site. Between the outer bawn wall and the tower house itself, archaeologists have identified traces of an inner defensive wall complete with angle towers, creating a layered defence system that would have made any attack extremely costly for would-be invaders. This inner wall was positioned close to the tower house, creating a compact but formidable stronghold. Unfortunately, time and conflict have taken their toll on these inner defences, with significant destruction visible at the northern and eastern sections.
These fortified enclosures were essential features of the Irish landscape during the plantation period and beyond, when landowners needed to protect their families, livestock, and goods from raids. The Galesquarter bawn, with its sophisticated multi-layered defences and strategic gun loops, represents the evolution of these structures from simple cattle enclosures to complex military installations. Today, whilst the tower house may be gone and parts of the fortification damaged, the surviving walls continue to command the landscape, offering visitors a tangible connection to centuries of Irish history.





