Built sometime in the 15th or 16th century, the structure once served as the entrance to a larger fortified complex that has long since vanished. The two-storey stone building features distinctive architectural elements typical of late medieval Irish construction, including narrow defensive windows and a barrel-vaulted ceiling on the ground floor.

The gatehouse’s strategic location speaks to the area’s historical significance; Stalleen lies close to several important medieval sites, including the ruins of a 13th-century church and an earlier motte-and-bailey castle. During the turbulent centuries following the Norman invasion, such defensive structures were essential for controlling movement through the countryside and protecting the estates of Anglo-Norman and Gaelic lords alike. The building would have housed guards who monitored all comings and goings, whilst the upper floor likely provided modest living quarters.

Today, the gatehouse stands as a solitary monument in the Meath landscape, its weathered stones bearing witness to centuries of Irish history. Though no longer serving its original defensive purpose, the structure remains remarkably intact, offering visitors a tangible connection to the medieval world. Its survival is particularly notable given that most similar structures were either destroyed during the Cromwellian campaigns of the 17th century or simply dismantled for building materials as their military importance waned.