Originally measuring approximately 34 metres north to south and 23 metres east to west, this peaceful quadrangle once formed the heart of a Cistercian monastery, where monks would have walked in contemplation between their daily prayers and duties. The eastern range of the cloister housed the chapter house, where the monastic community gathered for important meetings and readings.

In the late 16th century, as Ireland experienced waves of conflict and upheaval, the cloister underwent a dramatic transformation into a fortified bawn; a defensive courtyard typical of the period. The conversion involved reinforcing the western wall of the eastern range and constructing entirely new defensive walls to the south and west, expanding the enclosed area to roughly 49 by 39 metres. A gatehouse was added to the western wall, providing controlled access to what had become a stronghold rather than a sanctuary.

This remarkable adaptation from sacred space to secular fortress reflects the turbulent history of post-Reformation Ireland, when many religious buildings were repurposed or abandoned. The site stands as a physical record of how communities responded to changing times, with medieval stonework bearing witness to both contemplative monasticism and the harsh realities of frontier defence.