This flat-topped, grass-covered motte measures between 9 and 10 metres across its summit, broadening to 33-35 metres at its base. The height varies dramatically from 5.5 metres on the eastern side to 9.5 metres on the west, where the ground drops away towards the river some 50 metres below. A few trees punctuate the grassy slopes, adding to its distinctive profile against the Meath countryside.

Attached to the northeastern and southeastern flanks of the motte, a 21-metre-wide platform suggests this was once a more complex fortification. This area, defined by a three-metre-wide scarp that rises about a metre high on the eastern side, likely served as a bailey; the outer enclosure where daily activities of a medieval settlement would have taken place. Though ancient quarrying has altered its original form, the earthworks still clearly show the defensive planning of its Norman builders.

The motte’s strategic importance becomes clearer when considering its wider context. Just 25 metres to the south lie the remains of Castlerickard’s medieval parish church, whilst field systems dating from the same period extend to the east and north. Together, these features paint a picture of a thriving medieval settlement, with the motte serving as both a defensive stronghold and a symbol of Norman authority in this part of Meath. The site continues to offer visitors a tangible connection to Ireland’s complex medieval past, when such earthworks marked the frontier between Gaelic and Norman worlds.