This rectangular enclosure measures 43.1 metres from east to west and 28.4 metres from north to south, defended by an earthen bank that still stands at an impressive 1.65 metres high on three sides. The northern boundary takes a different form, marked by a stone-faced field fence, whilst short sections of stone walling have replaced the earthwork at the southeast and northwest corners.

The site’s defensive features remain remarkably well-preserved, with a fosse, or defensive ditch, still visible around the entire perimeter. Keen observers can also spot traces of an outer bank on the eastern side and at the southwest corner, though this secondary defence stands at a more modest 0.6 metres in height. The interior of the enclosure slopes gently upwards towards the north, following the natural contours of the hillside.

These moated sites, which date primarily from the 13th and 14th centuries, were typically constructed by Anglo-Norman colonists as fortified farmsteads. They served both as defensive structures and status symbols, marking the presence of substantial landholders in the medieval Irish countryside. The combination of earthen banks, stone elements, and water-filled ditches at Rathdrought represents a typical example of these hybrid fortifications that dot the Cork landscape, bridging the gap between simple ringforts and more elaborate castle complexes.