This ancient earthwork, believed to be a motte castle, appears on historical Ordnance Survey maps dating back to 1842, where it was first depicted as a circular enclosure with distinctive hachured markings indicating its raised profile. The mound measures approximately 30 metres in diameter and sits surrounded by a defensive ditch, or fosse, that curves around its southern, western and northern flanks, whilst the eastern edge drops sharply down to a stream running through the base of the glen.

The fosse itself tells an interesting story of medieval defensive architecture; it’s noticeably wider on the southern approach than on the western and northern sides, suggesting this was where defenders expected the greatest threat. Today, the remnants of a more recent farmyard have been built with careful respect for the ancient earthwork, its boundaries following the line of the northern fosse rather than encroaching upon it. This consideration for the archaeological feature demonstrates how these medieval structures have continued to influence the landscape and farming practices centuries after their military purpose ended.

Whilst the overgrowth makes detailed archaeological examination challenging, the site represents a typical example of Anglo-Norman fortification in Ireland. Motte castles like this one were rapidly constructed defensive positions, usually consisting of a raised earth mound topped with a wooden palisade or tower, serving as both military strongholds and symbols of Norman authority as they established control over Irish territories in the 12th and 13th centuries.