In 1612, historical records show that the ‘castle, town and lands of Oldtown’ were granted to John Cantwell, suggesting this area once held considerable importance in the local landscape. Whilst the castle itself has long since vanished, the land continues to reveal fascinating clues about its former inhabitants through modern archaeological techniques.

Aerial photographs captured in April 1990 revealed a series of earthworks that have since become invisible at ground level, demonstrating how quickly such features can disappear from view. More recent Digital Globe aerial imagery shows these earthworks as a collection of connected rectangular enclosures, likely representing an organised field system from centuries past. These geometric patterns etched into the landscape may well be associated with the castle mentioned in the 1612 land grant, providing a tangible link to the Cantwell family’s tenure.

The precise location of the castle remains something of a mystery, though archaeologists suggest it may have stood within the area where these earthworks are visible from above. This compilation of historical documentation and modern aerial survey work, revised by Caimin O’Brien in July 2016, offers a glimpse into how estates were organised in early 17th century Ireland; complete with their agricultural systems and defensive structures that once dominated the Tipperary countryside.