This earthen mound, with its flat top measuring roughly 10 metres across, was once part of a Norman defensive structure. The castle controlled what was clearly an important river crossing; an 1837 Ordnance Survey map shows a ford at this very spot, along with an eel weir to the north. The monument appears on the same map’s Fair Plan as both ‘Moat’ and ‘Ballyharney Fort’, reflecting the various names locals have given it over the years.

Today, the motte’s steep sides rise from what remains of its defensive fosse, or ditch, which is now only visible on the southwest side where it spans about 5 metres wide. Time and human activity have taken their toll on the structure; quarrying has eaten away portions of the northwest and northeast sections, whilst spoil from dredging operations on the River Inny has been piled against the western side. Despite these alterations, aerial photography from 2011 reveals something intriguing: a small, square field measuring approximately 40 by 45 metres immediately east of the motte, which may represent the ghostly outline of the original bailey where the castle’s courtyard and buildings once stood.

The castle’s strategic placement becomes clearer when considering its neighbours in this part of Westmeath. A ringfort lies 550 metres to the northeast, whilst another moated site can be found 750 metres to the southeast, creating a network of medieval fortifications across the landscape. Together, these monuments paint a picture of a contested borderland where control of river crossings and territorial boundaries required constant vigilance and strong defences.