According to historical research by Bradley and colleagues, John Rocque’s detailed 1757 map of the area marks this mound southwest of the Anglo-Norman stone castle. The motte appears to have been a predecessor to the masonry fortification, eventually becoming integrated into the later castle’s defensive system.

This type of evolution from timber motte-and-bailey to stone castle was common across Ireland during the Norman period. The original motte would have been a steep-sided artificial hill, topped with a wooden palisade and tower, offering both a defensive advantage and a symbol of Norman authority over the surrounding landscape. As military technology and architectural preferences changed, these earthen fortifications were often rebuilt in stone or incorporated into more elaborate castle complexes.

Today, no trace of this historic mound remains visible at ground level, its earthworks long since levelled by centuries of urban development. The site serves as a reminder of Kildare’s layered history, where each generation built upon the foundations, both literal and figurative, of those who came before. While the physical evidence may have vanished, Rocque’s careful cartography preserves a snapshot of this lost medieval landmark, offering modern historians a glimpse into the town’s Norman past.