The 1655 Down Survey map of Castletown parish reveals that these lands, then known as ‘Ballistowne’, belonged to James White in 1641, just as the Irish Rebellion was beginning to reshape the country’s political landscape. Today, the castle ruins occupy a low, sub-rectangular platform in what is now reclaimed grassland, offering visitors a chance to explore centuries of Irish history.

The site presents an intriguing puzzle for archaeologists and history enthusiasts alike. While the tower house itself remains the most prominent feature, careful observation reveals traces of what may have been a bawn; a fortified courtyard typical of Irish castles from this period. This defensive structure appears as a faint rectangular outline defined by subtle scarps in the landscape, though recent agricultural reclamation has obscured many of these earthworks. A slightly raised area at the northern corner of the platform suggests the location of an additional small structure, perhaps a gatehouse or auxiliary building.

Archaeological surveys, including aerial photographs from 2011, have documented various low earthworks radiating out from the tower house in all directions. Low rises in the ground to the south and southwest might indicate the original extent of the bawn’s walls, though fieldwork by Frank Coyne and Caimin O’Brien notes that these features have become increasingly difficult to discern as modern farming has transformed the landscape. Despite these changes, Billistown Castle continues to offer valuable insights into the defensive architecture and settlement patterns of 17th century Ireland.