This large, roughly rectangular enclosure first caught the attention of Ordnance Survey mapmakers in the mid-19th century, appearing clearly marked on both the 1841 and 1881 editions of their detailed 6-inch maps. Curiously, by the time later editions were produced, the site had vanished from official records, leaving only traces visible to those who know where to look.

The enclosure itself presents an intriguing archaeological puzzle. Aerial photography from the Cambridge University Collection reveals a circular structure tucked into the northeast corner of the site, suggesting this was once more than a simple field boundary. The rectangular shape and substantial size point towards it being a bawn; a fortified courtyard that would have provided protection for livestock and people during Ireland’s turbulent medieval and early modern periods. These defensive enclosures were typically built alongside tower houses and castles throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, serving as the first line of defence for rural strongholds.

While time and agriculture have worn away much of the visible evidence at ground level, the site remains catalogued in archaeological records as LA002-007. The combination of historical map evidence, aerial photography, and the distinctive layout all suggest this was once home to an unclassified castle complex. Without excavation, the full story of who built these defences and when they fell into ruin remains locked beneath the Laois soil, waiting to add another chapter to Ireland’s rich tapestry of forgotten fortifications.