The site's history is tied to Jordan de Marisco, who received Donard as a grant from Archbishop John Comyn of Dublin before 1190. Whilst largely formed by nature, this steep-sided mound rises between 4 and 8 metres high with a diameter of roughly 40 metres, creating an imposing presence in the landscape. The summit, a level circular area spanning 24 metres across, is defined by an earthen bank that measures 1.7 metres wide and stands between 0.4 and 0.7 metres tall.

The mound's defensive features suggest it served as a motte, a type of fortification popular amongst the Anglo-Normans. Access to the summit is provided by a 3-metre-wide entrance and ramp on the northeast side, whilst additional defensive elements include what appears to be a fosse, or defensive ditch, positioned 4 metres below the summit on the eastern side, with a corresponding berm on the west. These characteristics align with typical motte construction of the period, supporting the theory that de Marisco established this fortification shortly after receiving his grant.

Today, Ball Moat is protected under a preservation order dating from 1940, recognising its significance to Ireland's medieval heritage. The site offers visitors a tangible connection to the early Anglo-Norman period in Wicklow, when new lords like de Marisco were establishing their authority through these distinctive earthwork fortifications. Its position overlooking the church at Donard creates a striking medieval landscape that has endured for over eight centuries.