What appears today as a medieval motte and bailey castle actually sits within the remains of a much older and larger enclosure, possibly dating back to the early medieval period. The original oval-shaped earthwork, measuring roughly 220 metres from north-northwest to south-southeast and 170 metres from east-northeast to west-southwest, may have served as either a hillfort or monastic enclosure before the Normans arrived.

The medieval transformation of this hilltop began when Norman settlers constructed their motte and bailey castle, cleverly incorporating parts of the existing ancient ramparts into their defensive system. Evidence suggests the original enclosure’s earthen bank and stone fortifications were reused by these medieval builders, with the southwestern section being the best preserved today. The bank, standing between one and two metres high and nearly six metres wide, demonstrates how successive generations of inhabitants adapted and built upon the work of their predecessors.

From the 14th to 16th centuries, this elevated position served as the inauguration site for the Ó Fearghaill Bán clan, cementing its importance in Gaelic Irish political life. The site’s strategic location, commanding views over the River Rhine and surrounding countryside, made it an ideal choice for both ancient and medieval fortifications. Today, whilst the medieval castle remains dominate the hilltop, aerial photographs and historic Ordnance Survey maps reveal the ghostly outline of the earlier enclosure, its boundaries still traceable through modern field systems and townland divisions.