Built during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign to defend the river crossing from potential attacks from Connacht, this fortification replaced an earlier college that had occupied the site. By 1654, the Civil Survey recorded ‘two ruined old castles and Bawnes totally demolished and fower cottages’ on these lands, which were held by several proprietors including Richard Butler of Ballyquircke and various members of the Kennedy family.

The bawn forms a roughly square enclosure measuring about 24 metres north to south and 23 metres east to west, with limestone rubble walls that have survived on three sides; only the northern wall has completely disappeared. The eastern wall contains the main entrance, a remarkable round archway with elaborate punch tooling decoration and what appears to be a mason’s mark carved into the lower jamb. This sophisticated doorway featured a two;leaf door system, evidenced by finely carved hanging;eyes, and could be secured with drawbars. Above the entrance, two loops with corbels at their base provided defensive positions, whilst the walls were topped with a wall;walk equipped with gun loops for defenders.

The fortification shows several interesting defensive and practical features that reveal its military purpose. A bartizan, or corner turret, once projected from the southwest angle, though only its circular base supported on pyramidal corbels remains today. The western wall contains a raised doorway, accessed by internal steps and positioned 1.5 metres above ground level, whilst putlog;holes in this wall suggest wooden structures or hoarding were once attached to provide additional defensive platforms. Throughout the structure, numerous gun loops allowed defenders to cover approaches to the bawn, though many of these have since been blocked up. Modern additions, including concrete storage sheds and toilets built against the internal faces of the walls, have somewhat obscured the original layout, but the essential character of this Elizabethan fortification remains clearly visible.