This flat-topped motte rises 5 to 6 metres high, its grassy summit spanning 16 metres across whilst the base stretches to an impressive 40 metres in diameter. Now sitting peacefully within the gardens of Loughcrew House, this medieval earthwork represents one of the many Norman fortifications that once dotted the Irish landscape.

The motte may have originally been part of a larger defensive complex. Archaeological evidence suggests a bailey, the fortified courtyard that typically accompanied these mounds, possibly existed to the southeast. A distinctive scarp approaching from the southwest hints at this former structure, though some scholars argue it could simply be the result of later landscaping efforts around the estate. Such uncertainty is common with these ancient sites, where centuries of use and modification have blurred the lines between original construction and subsequent alterations.

These mottes served as the strongholds of Norman lords following their arrival in Ireland during the 12th century. Built from earth and timber rather than stone, they could be erected quickly to establish control over newly conquered territories. The Loughcrew motte would have originally supported a wooden tower or palisade on its summit, providing both a defensive position and a visible symbol of Norman authority over the surrounding countryside.