This wedge-shaped earthwork, measuring roughly 35 metres from north to south and widening from 17 metres at its northern end to 25 metres at its southern boundary, represents a type of fortified settlement that once dotted the Irish countryside during the medieval period.

The site’s defensive features remain remarkably visible today, with earthen banks standing between 5.6 and 6.9 metres wide enclosing the southern and western sides. These banks rise up to 1.6 metres above the external ground level, whilst inside the enclosure they stand about half a metre high. The northern section reveals additional fortifications in the form of an outer fosse, essentially a defensive ditch, which runs approximately 4.5 metres wide at its base. An outer earthen bank accompanies this moat along the northern end of the eastern side, creating multiple layers of defence that would have deterred unwanted visitors centuries ago.

What makes this Ballyculleen site particularly interesting is the absence of any visible entrance, suggesting either sophisticated concealment of the original access point or significant alterations over time. The grass-covered interior and rounded corners at the southeastern and southwestern edges soften what was once a formidable defensive structure. Today, this low-lying landscape feature stands as a subtle but significant reminder of how medieval communities in Roscommon organised themselves for protection, choosing strategic positions near waterways whilst creating elaborate earthworks that have endured for hundreds of years.