This earthwork, positioned on steep east-facing ground, has partially survived the centuries by being cleverly incorporated into a field boundary that runs northwest to southeast. Measuring roughly 10.8 metres east to west and 4 metres north to south, with a modest height of just 0.2 metres, it’s easy to miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

The site shows intriguing features that hint at its defensive past. North of the field boundary, observers can spot a slight curve at the high point of the ridge; a subtle reminder of the structure’s original circular or semi-circular form. Interestingly, archaeological surveys have found no evidence of a ditch or bailey, which were common features of Norman mottes and bailey castles. This absence suggests either a different type of fortification or perhaps that these features have been lost to time and agricultural activity.

Today, a well-established tree line marks the site, their roots likely intertwined with whatever foundations remain below. The moat’s strategic placement would have offered commanding views across the surrounding landscape, making it an ideal defensive position in medieval times. Though much reduced from its original form, Freedagh Moat remains a tangible link to Ireland’s complex medieval past, when such earthworks dotted the countryside as symbols of power and protection.