Built in the late 12th or early 13th century, the earthwork consists of a substantial artificial mound, or motte, which would have originally supported a wooden tower. The surrounding bailey, an enclosed courtyard area, would have contained additional wooden structures for living quarters, storage, and livestock.

The castle’s strategic position allowed the Normans to control this important river crossing and monitor the surrounding countryside. Like many motte and bailey castles throughout Ireland, it was likely constructed quickly using local labour and materials, serving as both a military stronghold and an administrative centre for the newly conquered territories. The wooden structures have long since vanished, but the impressive earthen mound remains clearly visible, rising approximately 10 metres above the surrounding landscape.

Today, the site offers visitors a tangible connection to the Norman conquest of Ireland, when these foreign invaders transformed the Irish landscape with hundreds of similar fortifications. The motte provides excellent views over Inistioge village, one of Ireland’s most picturesque settlements, with its distinctive 18th century bridge spanning the Nore. While the castle itself predates the village by several centuries, both monuments together tell the story of how this quiet corner of Kilkenny evolved from a contested frontier into a peaceful rural community.