Rather than the conventional square or rectangular design common throughout Ireland, this well-preserved structure features a circular tower with a second round tower attached to its southern face, creating a distinctive figure-of-eight footprint when viewed from above. The smaller tower houses a spiral staircase, providing access to the upper floors of the main structure whilst adding defensive strength to what would otherwise be a vulnerable point.

The circular design itself is relatively rare in Irish castle architecture, making Dungar particularly noteworthy for historians and castle enthusiasts. This departure from standard building practices may reflect specific defensive requirements, available building materials, or simply the preferences of its original builders. The curved walls would have offered certain advantages; they were structurally stronger than straight walls and eliminated the blind spots that corners create, allowing defenders to maintain clear sightlines around the entire perimeter.

To the east of the tower house, the remnants of a contemporary bawn wall can still be traced through low stone footings that mark out what was once a fortified courtyard. This walled enclosure would have provided protected space for livestock, storage buildings, and daily activities during times of conflict. Though now reduced to foundation level, these walls help visitors understand the full extent of the medieval complex and how it functioned as both a defensive stronghold and a working estate. The combination of the unusual twin-tower design and the surviving bawn walls makes Dungar a fascinating example of how Irish castle builders occasionally broke from tradition to create something quite distinctive.