This impressive earthwork fortress, likely built in the 12th or 13th century, commands a strategic position above an ancient river crossing point that lies 150 metres to the southeast. The circular mound rises six to eight metres high with a diameter of 33.5 metres, its slightly domed summit spanning about 11 metres across where a timber tower or palisade would have once stood.

The motte's defences reveal the careful engineering of its medieval builders. A berm, between five and seven metres wide, encircles the eastern, southern and western sides of the mound, whilst the northern approach is protected by a defensive ditch, or fosse, measuring four metres wide and 0.8 metres deep. This fosse curves round to merge with the berm at both the northwest and northeast corners. The builders took extra precautions on the vulnerable northern side, where the mound meets the narrow level ridge; here they added an outer bank, two metres wide and 0.6 metres high, along with a second fosse three metres wide and one metre deep, effectively cutting the site off from easy approach.

A narrow causeway, five metres wide, extends from the berm at the southeast corner of the site, likely marking the original entrance route to this Norman stronghold. This causeway has been emphasised by later quarrying work to the south of the site, though a modern farm track now cuts across it about 20 metres from the motte. The site's proximity to the river ford suggests it served as both a defensive position and a control point for this important crossing, typical of Norman strategy in establishing control over newly conquered territories in medieval Ireland.