This windswept area, measuring roughly 700 metres north to south and between 50 to 220 metres east to west, rises dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean and contains one of Ireland's most intriguing concentrations of ancient sites. The peninsula is accessed via a narrow isthmus, just 40 metres wide, which forms a natural defensive ditch. Here, the grass-covered remains of a stone wall, about 40 metres long and up to a metre high, mark what may be the foundations of the 'Little Castle' mentioned in the Civil Survey of 1654-56, though O'Donovan described it in 1835 as a modern square castle of lime and stone; no visible traces of this structure remain today.

The peninsula's defences become increasingly elaborate as you move northward. About 80 metres from the entrance, a 105-metre-long earthen and stone bank with an accompanying fosse runs from the cliff edge, punctuated by a gap about 45 metres from its southeastern end. Beyond this first line of defence lies a complex of mysterious structures: square enclosures built against the banks, curious lines of water-rolled beach stones arranged in geometric patterns, and what appear to be four small stone-built hut sites with walls composed of upright stones filled with rubble. Further north, the peninsula narrows again to another 50-metre-wide isthmus, completely dominated by the imposing earthworks known locally as 'Balor's Fort', named after the legendary one-eyed giant of Irish mythology. This formidable defensive system consists of four massive earthen banks with three intervening ditches, rising progressively with the natural slope and crossed by a stone causeway that narrows from five metres to just two metres wide.

Behind these impressive defences, the peninsula opens up to reveal at least twenty surviving hut circles scattered across a south-facing slope. These structures, typically circular or oval with diameters up to 10 metres, consist of substantial earthen and stone banks up to three metres wide. A partial excavation by Sidebotham in 1949 provided some insights into their construction, revealing they were built directly on the island's rocky surface either before or during the early development of the turf layer. Near one of the huts, a rock-cut well still exists, testament to the practical needs of the site's ancient inhabitants. Three of these structures are known locally as 'Diarmuid and Grania's', though they appear as simple circular depressions rather than the typical hut circle construction. The entire complex, with its multiple defensive lines, numerous dwellings, and commanding position overlooking the sea, suggests this was once a significant settlement, though no local tradition survives to explain its original purpose or inhabitants. From sea level, this eastern promontory of Tory Island presents an almost impregnable appearance; a natural fortress enhanced by human ingenuity over centuries of occupation.