The site consists of a rectangular platform, measuring approximately 40 by 30 metres, surrounded by a water-filled moat that’s still visible today despite centuries of weathering. These defensive earthworks were typical of the 13th and 14th centuries, when colonists needed protection from both the native Irish and rival settlers whilst establishing their agricultural estates in newly conquered territories.

The moat itself, roughly 10 metres wide and up to 2 metres deep in places, would have been fed by nearby streams and served multiple purposes; defence, drainage, and even as a source of fish for the household. The raised platform at its centre would have supported timber-framed buildings, likely including a hall house, outbuildings, and perhaps a small chapel. Archaeological evidence from similar sites across Ireland suggests these settlements housed extended families along with servants and labourers, functioning as self-sufficient farmsteads that controlled the surrounding agricultural land.

Though no structures remain standing at Colmanstown today, the earthworks are remarkably well preserved, making it an excellent example of this type of medieval settlement. These moated sites represent a fascinating period of Irish history when two cultures, Gaelic and Anglo-Norman, existed side by side, sometimes peacefully, often not. The very need for such defensive measures speaks to the uncertain times in which they were built, when a farmer’s home doubled as a fortification and daily life required constant vigilance against potential raids.