This oval earthwork, measuring roughly 70 metres northeast to southwest and 50 metres northwest to southeast, consists of a grass-covered area surrounded by the remnants of an earthen bank with an external ditch and outer bank, particularly well-preserved on the northern side. Archaeological excavation in 1978 uncovered evidence of a wooden palisade at the eastern end of the outer bank, with dating evidence suggesting construction in the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century.

The ringwork’s strategic placement becomes clear when considering its relationship to other nearby structures; a motte castle sits just 70 metres away across the river to the northeast, whilst a medieval burial ground lies 40 metres to the south. This clustering of defensive and religious sites suggests Mulphedder was part of a larger medieval settlement complex. The canalised section of the Clonard River, running about 10 metres east of the ringwork, hints at later attempts to manage the waterway, possibly for agricultural or defensive purposes.

Ringwork castles like Mulphedder represent an important type of Anglo-Norman fortification in Ireland, typically consisting of a circular or oval enclosure defended by earthen banks and ditches, often topped with timber palisades. Unlike the more famous motte-and-bailey castles with their distinctive mounds, ringworks provided a defended area at ground level, making them particularly suitable for locations where rapid construction was needed or where the terrain didn’t suit motte building. The preservation of Mulphedder’s earthworks offers visitors a tangible connection to the medieval landscape of Meath, when such fortifications dotted the countryside as the Anglo-Normans sought to establish control over their newly conquered territories.