The imposing motte, or earthen mound, rises 6.5 metres high with a base diameter of 32 metres narrowing to 13.7 metres at its flat summit. What makes this particular fortification interesting is how its builders adapted the existing landscape; rather than constructing an entirely artificial mound, they carved and shaped the southern side of the natural esker ridge to create a steeper, more defensible slope.

The castle once featured a rectangular bailey, or courtyard, positioned to the north of the motte. This lower enclosure would have housed the garrison’s daily activities, including stables, workshops, and living quarters, all protected by an earthen bank that has since been lost to time. The strategic positioning took full advantage of the surrounding undulating countryside, with a church nearby and a river to the south providing both spiritual comfort and a natural defensive barrier.

Today, whilst the bailey has largely disappeared and only earthworks remain, the site continues to command attention. The Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly, published in 1997, documents these features in detail, and modern technology has brought new life to the ruins; visitors can explore a 3D model of the castle online at https://skfb.ly/otuwN, allowing them to visualise how this Norman stronghold once dominated the Offaly landscape.