Today, only a section of the east-northeast wall survives, showing traces of a batter; a defensive architectural feature where the wall slopes outward at its base for added stability and to deflect projectiles. While time and the elements have taken their toll on this once formidable structure, what remains offers a tantalising glimpse into the defensive strategies of medieval Ireland.

The castle sits within a curious earthwork that adds another layer of intrigue to the site. A subcircular enclosure, measuring approximately 21.5 metres in diameter, surrounds the monument, defined by an earthen bank that has endured far better than the stone structure it protects. Even more intriguing are the series of similar banks that radiate outward from this central enclosure, creating a pattern across the landscape that suggests this site may have had significance beyond its obvious defensive purpose.

These earthworks, combined with the castle’s marshy setting, paint a picture of a carefully chosen strategic location. The wet ground would have made approach difficult for potential attackers, whilst the radiating banks might have served multiple functions; perhaps defining field boundaries, controlling access routes, or marking areas of different use within the castle’s domain. Though much of Ballagh Castle has been lost to time, the surviving wall fragment and its surrounding earthworks continue to mark this quiet corner of North Galway as a place where medieval life once thrived.