This earthwork enclosure, likely dating from the 13th or 14th century, represents the type of defended homestead that once dotted the Irish countryside during the Anglo-Norman period. The site consists of a rectangular platform surrounded by a water-filled moat, which would have originally protected a timber hall or tower house belonging to a prosperous farming family or minor lord.

What makes Tinnakilly Big particularly intriguing is its excellent state of preservation; the moat remains clearly defined and in places still holds water, creating an almost island-like platform in the centre. These moated sites were more than just defensive structures; they were statements of status and wealth, demonstrating their owners’ ability to marshal the resources needed for such substantial earthworks. Archaeological evidence from similar sites across Ireland suggests that the enclosed area would have contained not just the main dwelling but also outbuildings, gardens, and perhaps even a small orchard, creating a self-contained domestic complex.

Today, Tinnakilly Big stands as one of approximately 200 known moated sites scattered across Ireland, with the majority concentrated in the eastern counties where Anglo-Norman influence was strongest. While the timber buildings have long since vanished, leaving only the earthworks behind, the site continues to tell its story through the landscape itself. For those interested in medieval Ireland, these seemingly simple field monuments represent the everyday lives of medieval settlers who carved out their place in the Irish countryside, balancing their need for defence with the practical demands of agricultural life.