This rectangular platform measures 19 metres from north to south and 26 metres from east to west, surrounded by a substantial water-filled ditch, or fosse, that’s between 6 and 7 metres wide. The platform itself shows considerable variation in height; whilst a low bank of about 30 centimetres runs along its western edge, the eastern end rises dramatically to 1.5 metres above the surrounding fosse, creating an imposing defensive position.

What makes this site particularly interesting is its integration into the wider landscape. The moated platform sits within an extensive field system made up of wide dykes and low earthen banks, which may well be contemporary with the main monument. These features suggest this wasn’t simply an isolated defensive structure, but rather the centrepiece of a working agricultural estate, likely dating from the 13th or 14th century when Anglo-Norman settlers were establishing themselves across the Irish countryside.

Sites like Ballyloughan were typically home to minor lords or prosperous farmers who needed protection whilst maintaining their agricultural operations. The combination of the defensive moat and the surrounding field boundaries paints a picture of medieval rural life in Carlow, where security concerns had to be balanced with the practical needs of farming and estate management. The information about this site comes from the Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow, originally published in 1993 and updated with recent research findings in 2007.