This medieval earthwork consists of a roughly rectangular enclosure measuring approximately 50 metres from east to west, defined by an earthen bank that ranges from 3 to 5 metres in width. The bank still stands about 1.2 metres high on its exterior face, creating a clear boundary that would have marked out this defended space centuries ago.

What makes this site particularly interesting is what’s missing; there’s no evidence of a fosse, the defensive ditch that typically accompanies such earthworks, nor any clear indication of where the original entrance might have been located. This absence of typical defensive features raises questions about the site’s exact purpose and how it functioned in medieval times. Moated sites like this one were commonly built between the 13th and 14th centuries, often serving as fortified farmsteads for Anglo-Norman settlers or prosperous Irish families who adopted this architectural style.

The archaeological record for this site comes from the comprehensive Archaeological Inventory of County Laois, published in 1995 by the Dublin Stationery Office. Compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock, and Bernie Moran, the inventory has since been updated with findings from more recent research, helping to build a clearer picture of medieval settlement patterns across the county. These moated sites represent an important chapter in Irish history, marking a period of cultural exchange and adaptation as different communities established their presence on the landscape.