While the village has a long archaeological heritage dating back to the Bronze Age, it is the village’s origins as an Anglo-Norman manor in the 13th century that gives it national archaeological importance today.

The layout of the medieval village and the field systems (or burgage plots) stretching north and south away from Main Street has largely remained intact, despite the fact that the existing buildings fronting the Main Street are mainly of 20th century structures.

Apart from the burgage plots which are identifiable on the ground by the hedgerows that delineate their pattern, other surface archaeology features visible today are concentrated mainly at the western end of the village. These include a motte, a ruined castle on the eastern side of the Athgoe Road, a tower house on Main Street, and another possible tower house north of Main Street, and an old church (St. Finian’s Church of Ireland) with a tower and ruined nave. A later structure, the Glebe House, dates to the 18th century. This property not only adds significant architectural interest to the Main Street frontage but its landscaped gardens with follies, walled gardens, and a long rectangular pond/water feature is spectacular against the backdrop of the adjacent old church and tower house.