This moated site at Cloonsheen measures 47.5 metres from east to west and 32.5 metres from north to south, its defensive earthworks still visible despite centuries of weathering. The structure consists of two banks with a fosse, or defensive ditch, running between them; these features are best preserved on the eastern side where you can still make out the original contours of the fortification.

The enclosure’s southwestern corner reveals what was once the main entrance, whilst just to its west, the remains of what appears to be a leat, a small artificial watercourse, can be traced running west-northwest towards the river. This would have likely channelled water from the Black River to fill the defensive fosse, creating a water barrier that was a common feature of medieval Irish moated sites. These structures were typically built by Anglo-Norman settlers or Gaelicised families between the 13th and 14th centuries as fortified farmsteads, offering protection whilst managing agricultural lands.

Today, a field wall crosses over the inner bank on the eastern side, a reminder of how these ancient sites have been incorporated into the modern landscape. Though in fair condition, the earthworks remain clearly defined in the level grassland, offering visitors a tangible connection to medieval Ireland. The site was formally documented in the Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Volume II, compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling in 1999, ensuring its significance is preserved for future generations.