The site lies roughly 80 metres west of the Killeglan River, positioned just above the spot where this northeast to southwest waterway makes a distinctive westward turn. The castle itself sits immediately outside the southern end of the bawn’s western wall, creating an unusual defensive arrangement that speaks to the complexities of medieval Irish fortification.

The bawn, now a peaceful grass-covered enclosure, measures approximately 30 metres from west-northwest to east-southeast and 24 metres from north-northeast to south-southwest. What remains of its defensive perimeter tells a story of both human construction and natural advantage. Sections of masonry wall still define the northern and western boundaries; the northern wall stretches for about 6 metres and stands 0.3 metres high, whilst fragments of the western wall remain visible. Rather than relying entirely on built defences, the bawn’s builders cleverly incorporated the landscape itself into their fortification scheme, using steep natural scarps along the eastern and southern sides to complete the enclosure.

This combination of constructed walls and natural defensive features was typical of Irish tower house bawns, which served as fortified courtyards where livestock could be protected during raids and where daily agricultural activities took place. The positioning of Killeglan Castle just outside rather than within the bawn is somewhat unusual and may reflect later modifications to the site or specific defensive considerations unique to this location. Today, these remnants offer visitors a tangible connection to the turbulent centuries when such fortifications dotted the Irish countryside, serving as both homes and strongholds for the local gentry.