Around 1172, Hugh de Lacy granted this territory to Adam de Feipo, who likely established Skreen as the administrative centre, or caput, of his new holdings. This strategic decision would have made perfect sense given the area’s commanding position on a south-facing hillside, offering clear views across the surrounding landscape whilst maintaining proximity to the existing Columban church, which sits roughly 300 metres to the north.

At the heart of de Feipo’s settlement stands an impressive motte, a type of earthwork fortification favoured by the Normans during their conquest of Ireland. This flat-topped earthen mound rises six metres high, with its summit spanning 15 metres across and its base extending to 40 metres in diameter. Today, deciduous trees crown this ancient structure, their roots intertwining with centuries of history. The motte would have originally supported a wooden tower or keep, serving as both a defensive stronghold and a symbol of Norman authority over the native Irish population.

Just 80 metres north-northeast of the motte, the remains of a castle further emphasise the military importance of this site. This proximity between the motte and later stone castle suggests a continuity of occupation and strategic value that extended well beyond Adam de Feipo’s initial settlement. Together, these structures tell the story of how the Normans established and maintained control over their Irish territories, transforming the landscape with their distinctive military architecture whilst adapting to local conditions and existing religious sites.