This possible fortification sits amongst a rich archaeological landscape, with a holy well 155 metres to the east, a medieval church and graveyard 80 metres south, and a watermill 200 metres west. The castle itself, also known as ‘The Black Castle’, forms part of a complex that includes bridges and mills, creating a picture of a bustling medieval settlement along this strategic river crossing between Dublin and Meath.

Historical records from the 1654-6 Civil Survey of Dublin paint a vivid picture of the site in the mid-17th century, describing ‘one old Castle with an old Hall covered with straw’, valued at the considerable sum of £175. The survey also mentions ten tenements, an orchard, a garden plot, an open stone quarry, and intriguingly, ‘a grove of Ashtrees set for ornament’, suggesting that even in its declining years, some attention was paid to the aesthetic qualities of the castle grounds. By the late 19th century, local historian McDix observed architectural details including what appeared to be either a buttress or remnant of an external wall projecting from the north-east corner along the cliff edge, possibly part of the original bawn defences, as well as evidence of later additions built against the castle’s north wall.

Recent geophysical survey work has revealed tantalising evidence beneath the surface, identifying what appears to be a curving enclosure ditch that corresponds with visible earthworks on the ground. This feature likely represents the bawn’s defensive ditch, whilst various anomalies detected within the enclosed area suggest archaeological activity, though the exact nature of these features remains unclear. The combination of documentary evidence, architectural remains, and geophysical data builds a compelling case for this being the site of a substantial fortified complex that controlled this important river crossing for centuries.