These wall footings, catalogued as monument OF016-032001, represent a fascinating piece of medieval Irish history that has survived centuries of weathering and change. The motte itself, known locally as Lynally Moat, stands as a prominent earthwork feature in the landscape, its raised platform once serving as the foundation for what archaeological evidence suggests was a substantial defensive structure.

The site exemplifies the Norman influence on Irish medieval architecture, where earthen mottes were often topped with wooden or stone fortifications. The surviving wall footings indicate that this particular site evolved from a simple timber structure to a more permanent stone castle, a transition that occurred at many similar sites throughout Ireland during the 12th and 13th centuries. This development typically reflected both the growing wealth and security needs of Norman lords who sought to consolidate their control over newly acquired territories.

Archaeological surveys conducted for the Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly have documented these remains, though much about the site’s specific history remains mysterious. The exact date of the castle’s construction, its eventual abandonment, and the identity of its builders and inhabitants are questions that continue to intrigue historians and archaeologists. What remains clear, however, is that this site once played a role in the complex network of fortifications that dotted the Irish midlands during the medieval period, serving as both a symbol of power and a practical defensive position in the ever-shifting political landscape of medieval Ireland.