The site shows up as a cropmark; a square enclosure measuring approximately 34 by 33 metres, with a distinctive circular projection at its southeast corner. These telltale signs in the landscape, visible only from above through Google Earth imagery captured in June 2018, suggest the presence of either a moated site or a medieval bawn, complete with what may have been a flanking tower.

Cropmarks like these form when buried archaeological features affect the growth of crops above them. Where ancient ditches once existed, crops grow taller and greener due to the deeper, moisture-retaining soil; conversely, buried walls or foundations stunt growth, creating paler patches. This natural phenomenon has become an invaluable tool for archaeologists, revealing hidden histories that would otherwise remain invisible at ground level. The circular feature at the southeast angle is particularly intriguing, as it suggests defensive architecture typical of medieval Irish fortifications.

The identification of this site, compiled by Caimin O’Brien with information from Edward O’Riordan, adds another piece to the complex puzzle of medieval settlement in Kildare. Bawns were fortified enclosures built to protect livestock and people during times of conflict, whilst moated sites were often associated with Anglo-Norman colonisation of Ireland from the 12th century onwards. Without excavation, it’s difficult to determine the exact nature and date of the Fanaghs site, but its regular shape and defensive features point to a deliberate, planned fortification that once played a role in the medieval landscape of County Kildare.