Before Captain Robert Parke arrived in the early 1630s to convert this site into his fortified manor house, it was home to an O’Rourke tower house surrounded by a defensive bawn. The original entrance to this Irish stronghold was a simple gateway in the eastern wall, a modest opening that would soon undergo a dramatic reimagining.

Captain Parke had grander ambitions for his new home. He transformed the humble gateway into an imposing three storey gatehouse, substantially enlarging the original structure. Archaeological evidence suggests this gatehouse may have initially served as Parke’s main residence whilst he planned his larger vision for the site. Alternatively, it might have provided additional living and storage space whilst he occupied a timber house on the spot where the manor house now stands; a temporary dwelling that would eventually be demolished to make way for his permanent stone residence.

The manor house that Parke ultimately constructed was cleverly integrated with the gatehouse, creating a unified defensive residence that combined Irish and English architectural traditions. Today, this National Monument (No. 390) stands under state ownership, offering visitors a chance to walk through the bawn and view the gatehouse from within, much as Parke’s guests would have done nearly 400 years ago. The site represents a remarkable example of how Plantation era settlers adapted and expanded existing Irish fortifications to suit their own needs and tastes.