In the first phase of construction, the castle moat was excavated with a timber palisade raised inside it. Records for 1304 mention a hall in the castle and an oriel which probably consisted of a projecting wing. That year, three drawbridges at the castle were repaired. In 1307, artillerymen carried out repairs on cross-bow like siege engines capable of firing large missiles known as quarrels. See Margaret Murphy and Kieran O'Conor, Roscommon Castle: the history of a national landmark (Roscommon County Council 2008); Margaret Murphy and Kieran O'Conor, Roscommon Castle – A vistor's guide (Roscommon County Council 2008).