The earthwork rises steeply to about 4.4 metres in height with a distinctive flat top, measuring roughly 15 metres across. First recorded on early Ordnance Survey maps as an incomplete circular enclosure near Carlingford House, this defensive structure represents a significant piece of medieval earthwork engineering in the area.

Historical maps from the 19th century provide fascinating glimpses into the motte’s past appearance. One map of Carlingford House depicts the monument surrounded by a wall with a circular feature crowning its summit, though this has since been removed. Another period map notes an elevation reading of 53.3 at the ‘top of Battlement’, suggesting the motte may have once supported defensive structures or that locals recognised its military significance. The first edition Ordnance Survey maps clearly mark its location, helping to trace its presence through Dublin’s changing landscape.

Today, various walls bound portions of the monument’s base, serving as reminders of different periods of use and modification. Among these is a high, roughly coursed drystone wall that partially collapsed in March 2016, highlighting the ongoing challenges of preserving these earthen monuments. Archaeological surveys by O’Doherty in 2011 confirmed its classification as a motte, cementing its importance in understanding Norman influence and defensive strategies in medieval Dublin.