This substantial mound, partially hidden beneath a canopy of trees, first appeared on the 1837 Ordnance Survey map as a simple subrectangular feature. By the time cartographers returned in 1913, local folklore had transformed it into something far more romantic; the revised map proudly labelled it as the “Ancient Castle (Supposed Site of)”.

Modern aerial photography reveals the monument’s true character as an impressive oval shaped earthwork, with what appears to be an adjoining bailey; a classic defensive feature of medieval fortifications. The structure sits in splendid isolation amongst the rough pasture, though it’s not entirely alone in this historic landscape. Just 150 metres to the east lies another earthwork, catalogued as WM031-013, suggesting this area may have held strategic importance in centuries past.

Whether this mound truly marks the site of an ancient castle remains a tantalising mystery. What we can see today is a testament to both the enduring power of local legend and the remarkable preservation of Ireland’s archaeological heritage. The earthwork continues to stand as a silent sentinel over the Westmeath countryside, its tree covered summit offering visitors a glimpse into a past that hovers somewhere between historical fact and folkloric imagination.