The site forms an almost perfect square, measuring 30 metres from east to west and 29 metres from north to south, enclosed by an earthen bank that still stands despite the passage of time. From the inside, this bank rises about half a metre, whilst from the outside it reaches 1.6 metres in height, accompanied by a shallow ditch or fosse that once provided additional defence.

The southern and western sections of the bank have been worn down over the years, becoming low and broad at their bases; clear evidence of centuries of weathering and agricultural activity. To the north and east, however, the earthworks have been cleverly incorporated into the existing field boundary system, a common practice that has helped preserve many such sites across Ireland. These practical adaptations show how medieval defensive structures often evolved to serve new purposes in the agricultural landscape.

The interior of the enclosure, still used as pasture today, slopes gently towards the south, following the natural contours of the land. Moated sites like this one were typically built between the 13th and 14th centuries, often serving as defended farmsteads for Anglo-Norman settlers or prosperous Irish families. The modest size and rural location of the Knockanevin site suggest it was likely home to a farming family of some local standing, who would have lived in a timber or stone house within the protected enclosure, keeping their livestock and stores safe from raiders.