The most striking remnant is a section of the original bawn wall that still stands on the western side of the castle grounds. These walls once formed a fortified courtyard, a common feature of Irish tower houses designed to protect livestock and provide an extra layer of defence against raiders.

Within what’s now the castle yard stands a modest square tower, measuring roughly 4.4 metres east to west and 4.2 metres north to south. This squat structure likely marked the northeastern corner of the original bawn, serving as both a defensive position and a watchtower. Its low profile and sturdy construction are typical of the practical fortifications built by Anglo-Norman and Gaelic Irish families during the late medieval period, when such towers dotted the Cork landscape.

Today, these weathered stones offer visitors a tangible connection to centuries past, when Ballymaloe served as both a family home and a defensive stronghold. The surviving structures have been documented in the Archaeological Inventory of County Cork, ensuring their historical significance is preserved for future generations to explore and appreciate.