This substantial earthwork consists of a large, D-shaped outer enclosure measuring roughly 89 metres north to south and 95 metres east to west. The site is defined by an impressive bank, about 2.5 metres wide and standing up to 1.3 metres high on its outer face, accompanied by an external ditch or fosse that’s nearly 4 metres wide and almost a metre deep.

At the heart of this defensive enclosure lies a curious square platform, approximately 22 by 20 metres, raised slightly above the surrounding area and defined by a scarp that drops away nearly a metre on its external side. The platform’s interior shows a gentle rise towards the centre, which archaeologists believe may indicate the foundations of a medieval building, possibly the main structure of this fortification. The straight sides and rounded corners of this inner platform slope gently outward, creating a distinctive profile that’s characteristic of Norman ringwork castles built across Ireland during the 12th and 13th centuries.

The site hasn’t escaped the march of time entirely; the northeastern section has been completely levelled to make way for modern farm buildings, including a concrete floor and slatted shed. Within the outer enclosure, northwest of the central platform, several low linear mounds suggest the presence of former walls or boundaries, though their exact purpose remains unclear. An old sunken trackway runs east to west immediately beside the site, likely representing the original access route to this medieval stronghold. Despite these alterations and the passage of centuries, the earthworks at Moycarky remain a tangible link to Ireland’s Anglo-Norman past, when such fortifications dotted the landscape as symbols of power and control.