This trapezoidal earthwork, measuring roughly 44 metres from north-northeast to south-southwest and 37 metres from east to west, represents a type of fortified settlement that was once common across Ireland during the Anglo-Norman period. The site’s defining feature is its double-banked construction: an inner earthen bank that rises about 40 centimetres on the interior side and a full metre on the exterior, paired with an outer bank that stands 70 centimetres high on its inner face and 30 centimetres on the outer.

The defensive fosse, or ditch, that runs between these earthworks has a base width of approximately 3.5 metres, creating a formidable barrier for any would-be intruders. Two original entrance gaps pierce the banks; one at the northwest corner spans 1.8 metres, whilst another at the west-southwest measures 1.5 metres across. These carefully positioned openings would have controlled access to the enclosed area, likely featuring wooden gates or bridges in their medieval heyday.

What makes this site particularly intriguing is its sophisticated water management system. Archaeological evidence suggests a possible leat, essentially a small artificial watercourse, connecting to the fosse at the southeast corner. Another potential leat appears to run along the external base of the outer bank from southeast to south, both channels measuring about 2 metres wide at their base with depths of around 20 centimetres. The interior of the enclosure shows signs of deliberate landscaping, with a slightly raised platform against the inner bank’s southwestern section, possibly indicating where structures once stood. Compiled by local historian Denis Power in 2011, this detailed survey helps us understand how medieval settlers adapted defensive architecture to Ireland’s wet lowland landscapes.