The castle ruins occupy a roughly trapezoidal area within the fort’s defences, measuring between 17 and 21 metres north to south, and 16 to 22 metres east to west. Low, grass-covered walls enclose the space, with the northwest corner still showing stonework about a metre high that marks the original castle corner. Along the western side, some of the original stone facing has survived the centuries, whilst a noticeable inward turn about 14 metres from the northwest corner indicates where the southwest angle of a tower once stood.

According to historical accounts by Westropp from 1914, the low, sod-covered foundations running approximately 8 metres east to west are all that remain of a tower that reportedly stood over 40 feet tall during Bonaparte’s time. The site has yielded more than just architectural remnants; around 1870, locals made a grim discovery when they found a decayed human skeleton beneath a slab in the southern and eastern area of the enclosure, adding an element of intrigue to this already fascinating location.

Today, visitors can explore these evocative ruins and trace the outline of what was once a formidable defensive structure. The site represents a tangible connection to Ireland’s medieval past, where the strategic importance of coastal defence met the architectural ambitions of castle builders, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Cork coastline.