This fortified settlement sits on low-lying ground drained by a small stream to its north, its distinctive outline still clearly visible in the landscape after centuries. The enclosure measures approximately 75 metres from north to south and 70 metres from east to west, defined by a broad, shallow defensive ditch known as a fosse that ranges from 6 to 8 metres in width.

The interior of the site rises about a metre above the surrounding fields, creating a raised platform that would have once held buildings and other structures associated with medieval life. Interestingly, archaeologists have found no evidence of an earthen bank that typically accompanies such fosses; instead, the defensive ditch simply merges into the existing field boundaries on the northern and eastern sides. This unusual feature suggests the site may have been adapted to work with the natural topography and existing landscape divisions.

Moated sites like this one at Kilmurry Upper were characteristic features of Anglo-Norman settlement in medieval Ireland, typically dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. These fortified farmsteads served as centres of agricultural production and local administration, providing both security and status for their inhabitants during a turbulent period of Irish history. The site’s preservation allows modern visitors to trace the footprint of this medieval settlement, offering a tangible connection to the county’s Norman heritage.