Archaeological investigations in 1998 revealed fascinating details about this historic site, which consists of more than just the tower itself. To the north and east of the main structure, a roughly 40 by 40 metre area contains a complex of later additions; courtyards, outbuildings, and walled gardens that speak to centuries of continuous occupation and adaptation.

The 1998 archaeological assessment, conducted under licence number 98E0228, uncovered evidence of the site’s defensive features. Along the southern side of the tower house, researchers identified an earthen bank and outer fosse, a type of defensive ditch that served a dual purpose; providing both protection and drainage for the medieval inhabitants. This earthwork extended eastward from the tower, marking the southern boundary of what archaeologists believe was a bawn, the fortified courtyard typical of Irish tower houses. Corresponding features on the northern side, though partially obscured by a later wall, suggest the original defensive perimeter was quite substantial.

These archaeological findings paint a picture of a site that evolved significantly over time, from its origins as a fortified residence to a more complex settlement with agricultural and domestic buildings. The layering of different periods; medieval defensive earthworks, the tower house itself, and the later courtyards and gardens; creates a rich archaeological landscape that helps us understand how these rural strongholds adapted to changing times and needs in medieval and post-medieval Ireland.