This circular mound, measuring 22 metres across from north to south and 16 metres east to west, rises gently from the surrounding landscape with sloping sides that reach heights of two metres on the western side and four metres on the eastern. Atop this flat platform sits an 18th or 19th century gazebo, a decorative circular tower that adds another layer of mystery to the site’s already ambiguous history.

The true nature of this monument remains frustratingly unclear. It could be a medieval motte, the raised earthwork that once supported a wooden castle keep, though the absence of any obvious bailey or defensive ditch makes this identification uncertain. The slight depression noted at the foot of the western side in 1977 might represent the remnants of an enclosing fosse, but it’s equally possible that the entire mound was simply constructed or modified as part of 18th century landscaping efforts to create an elevated platform for the folly. The northern part of the summit shows a slightly raised platform where the gazebo stands, but whether this represents original medieval construction or later modifications is impossible to determine.

What makes this site particularly fascinating is how it embodies the challenge of interpreting Ireland’s layered historical landscape. Many estate owners during the Georgian and Victorian periods had a romantic fascination with medieval ruins and weren’t above creating their own picturesque “ancient” features. Without excavation, we can’t know whether the builders of the gazebo chose an existing medieval motte for their ornamental building, taking advantage of ready-made elevated ground, or whether they created the entire mound from scratch as part of their garden design. Either way, the monument stands as a testament to how different periods of Irish history often blur together in the physical landscape, creating puzzles that continue to intrigue visitors today.