Rising approximately 6 metres high with a diameter of around 100 metres, this imposing earthwork dominates the landscape with its steep sides and distinctive profile. About halfway up the slope, a broad terrace or berm runs around the entire structure, varying between 9 and 14 metres in width, before the mound continues upward to a flat circular summit measuring 28.5 metres across.

The true origins of this mound remain somewhat mysterious. While it appears to be a natural geological feature, there’s evidence suggesting it was modified during medieval times, possibly converted into a motte; a type of earthwork castle mound common in Norman Ireland. The strategic position and modifications would have made it an ideal defensive position, offering commanding views of the surrounding countryside.

Later alterations have further complicated the site’s history. During the 18th century, when Mount Kennedy Demesne was being developed as a fashionable estate, the mound was likely incorporated into the designed landscape. This period of landscaping may have softened some of the medieval modifications, blending the ancient earthwork into the genteel surroundings of the Georgian estate. Today, this layered history makes the mound a fascinating example of how natural features have been repeatedly reimagined and repurposed throughout Irish history.