This two-storey structure, complete with an attic level, forms part of the western wall of what was once a fortified cloister, known as a bawn; a defensive enclosure that protected the religious community within. Measuring approximately 9.85 metres east to west and 5.2 metres north to south, the gatehouse has been carefully restored to reveal its original architectural features, including the reproduction of its distinctive red-tiled roof, based on fragments discovered during archaeological excavations.

Passing through the 2.6-metre-wide entrance passage, visitors would have encountered chambers on both sides, with the northern chamber containing a staircase leading to the first floor. The upper level showcases the building’s more refined elements, including rectangular windows adorned with square hood mouldings, architectural details that speak to both the defensive and domestic functions of the structure. The wooden flooring on this level has been restored, giving a sense of how the space would have been used by its original inhabitants.

Archaeological investigations have revealed more about the gatehouse’s defensive context, uncovering a north-south running ditch approximately 40 metres to the northwest of the structure. This ditch appears to have been contemporary with the gatehouse itself, suggesting a comprehensive defensive strategy for the site. The excavations, conducted by Read in 2006, have helped piece together the story of this fortified religious settlement, showing how Irish monastic communities adapted to the turbulent conditions of the 16th century by transforming their cloisters into defensible spaces whilst maintaining their religious functions.