This castle motte rises 3.5 metres high, its circular base spanning roughly 30 metres across. The structure consists of a steep-sided mound built from earth and stone, surrounded by a substantial defensive ditch, or fosse, that measures 5.2 metres wide and plunges 1.1 metres deep. The flat summit, approximately 23 metres in diameter, would have once supported a wooden tower or palisade, serving as both a defensive stronghold and a symbol of Norman authority in medieval Ireland.

These motte-and-bailey castles were introduced to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans in the late 12th century, representing a swift and effective method of establishing control over newly conquered territories. The Moatavally motte follows the typical design; a raised earthen mound that provided excellent visibility across the landscape whilst offering a formidable defensive position. The surrounding fosse would have been a significant obstacle for any attacking force, likely filled with water or stakes to further deter assault.

Today, the monument has taken on a more peaceful character, with chestnut and beech trees now growing across its slopes and summit. This verdant covering adds to the site’s atmospheric quality whilst also helping to preserve the earthwork from erosion. The motte remains a tangible link to Longford’s Norman past, when these imposing structures dotted the Irish landscape as the new lords sought to cement their control over the region.