The fair green was designated the new venue for the town fairs in 1804, which were previously held four times a year on the streets of Kells. Prior to this it contained a number of quarry sites. To the east of the green is the highest point of Kells, and during an archaeological dig in 1984, a number of artefacts were uncovered, the most striking being a bronze brooch of the eighth century. Also uncovered was evidence that this may have been the site of the original Dun of Kells.