Though the castle itself has long since vanished, archaeological excavations in 1979 revealed tantalising glimpses of medieval life in this corner of County Kildare. The dig took place along Main Street North, covering about 1,400 square metres adjacent to the motte, right where the castle was thought to have stood.

The excavation team faced a challenge; previous site clearance had stripped away most of the archaeological layers down to natural gravel. What remained, however, told an interesting story. They uncovered a 13th century circular pit lined with stones, a medieval cess pit, and part of a 14th century wall. Among the finds were roughly one hundred pottery sherds of local manufacture, including eleven pieces of what archaeologists call ‘Leinster cooking ware’, giving us a peek into the kitchen habits of medieval Naas residents.

The smaller discoveries proved equally fascinating. A ring from a medieval ring brooch turned up in the soil, along with three sherds from early 16th century Beauvais medallion jugs; decorative vessels that came in both green and yellow glazes. These French imports hint at the international trade connections that even a relatively modest Irish town maintained during the late medieval period. Though found in disturbed contexts, meaning they weren’t in their original positions, these artefacts help piece together the story of a bustling medieval settlement that once surrounded the now lost Black Castle.