The earthwork mound reaches approximately 3.5 metres in height, with a flattened summit measuring roughly 12 metres across and a base diameter of 22 metres. Though time and human intervention have taken their toll; a lime kiln was cut into the northern face and a field wall disturbs the southern side, traces of the past remain visible. Atop the motte, remnants of a circular wall constructed from roughly coursed limestone rubble bound with mortar can still be observed, though this may be connected to the later lime kiln rather than the original medieval structure.

The motte’s defensive purpose extends well beyond its medieval origins. In September 1690, during the Williamite War in Ireland, this earthwork became the scene of a desperate last stand. Six companies from the Earl of Drogheda’s Regiment, finding themselves vastly outnumbered by Jacobite forces attacking Ballyboy village, retreated to this elevated position. The Williamite chronicler George Story recorded their valiant defence: though the village burned around them and they lost 28 men, they held the motte until the Jacobite forces were forced to withdraw, leaving 16 dead in the streets and more casualties among those who had been plundering houses.

Archaeological evidence suggests this wasn’t a standalone fortification. Local tradition speaks of a castle that once stood in a raised area north of the motte, which may have served as the original bailey; the typical enclosed courtyard that accompanied such defensive earthworks. While no clear physical evidence of this bailey survives today, the combination of archaeological remains, historical accounts and local memory creates a rich picture of a site that served defensive purposes across centuries, from its medieval construction through to its role in the upheavals of late 17th century Ireland.