The current residence stands where a fortified structure once dominated the landscape; marked as ‘Castle Byrn’ on the 1843 Ordnance Survey six-inch map. This earlier castle, which appears in historical records from the mid-17th century, was a substantial building with a slated roof, quite a luxury for its time.

The Civil Survey of 1654-6 provides a glimpse into the castle’s past, recording it as being located at Newtown and held by Walter Cheevers. This survey, conducted shortly after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, documented land ownership across the country and offers valuable insights into who controlled these strategic coastal properties. The Cheevers family were among the Old English gentry who had settled in Ireland during the medieval period, and their possession of this castle suggests their continued influence in the area despite the political upheavals of the time.

Today, whilst the original castle no longer stands, its legacy lives on through historical maps and documents. The transformation from medieval fortress to modern manor house reflects the changing face of Dublin’s coastline over the centuries, as defensive structures gave way to residential estates. The site remains a tangible link to Ireland’s complex past, where layers of history; from medieval fortifications to Victorian mapping projects; continue to inform our understanding of how these coastal communities developed.