McDermott’s Castle, is a castle in County Roscommon, on the island of Lake Key in the Republic of Ireland.
The picturesque ruins of an ancient castle can be seen on the small island of Castle Island on Loch Ke, Irish County Roscommon. Until the 17th century, these territories belonged to the McDermott clan. At that time, there were more than 30 small islands on the lake, and on one of them the McDermott family castle was built.
The island with the castle used to be named after its owners – McDermott Island. The earliest mention of the clan’s castle can be found in the Annals of Loch Ke, whose manuscripts date back to 1184. As history testifies, at the same time the castle burned down from a lightning strike.
In the 17th century, during the invasion of Cromwell, these lands became the property of the King of England. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, a park was laid out here, and a castle was built on the island for the entertainment of the royal family. In the 20th century, the last manager of these lands transferred them to the ownership of Ireland.
The island with the castle used to be named after its owners – McDermott Island. The earliest mention of the clan’s castle can be found in the Annals of Loch Ke, whose manuscripts date back to 1184. As history testifies, at the same time the castle burned down from a lightning strike.
In the 17th century, during the invasion of Cromwell, these lands became the property of the King of England. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, a park was laid out here, and a castle was built on the island for the entertainment of the royal family. In the 20th century, the last manager of these lands transferred them to the ownership of Ireland.
Although many have never even heard of it.Today, McDermott Castle is a monument of Irish history and architecture of national importance. The ruins of the ancient castle still stand on the island and attract curious tourists.
Access : Coordinates: 53.989522, -8.23258 / Once you’ve reached Lake Key, you need to rent a boat and warn the owner to wait on the opposite side. / Lough key is a loch or lake located in the county of Roscommon (Republic of Ireland), near the border with the counties of Sligo and Leitrim and to the northeast of the city of Boyle. It is located in the northern part of the river basin of the Shannon River, the longest in Ireland
It is worth noting that you can only visit the castle from 19:00 to 20:00.
Contents
McDermott’s Castle, is a castle in County Roscommon, on the island of Lake Key in the Republic of Ireland.The picturesque ruins of an ancient castle can be seen on the small island of Castle Island on Loch Ke, Irish County Roscommon. Until the 17th century, these territories belonged to the McDermott clan. At that time, there were more than 30 small islands on the lake, and on one of them the McDermott family castle was built.
The island with the castle used to be named after its owners – McDermott Island. The earliest mention of the clan’s castle can be found in the Annals of Loch Ke, whose manuscripts date back to 1184. As history testifies, at the same time the castle burned down from a lightning strike.
In the 17th century, during the invasion of Cromwell, these lands became the property of the King of England. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, a park was laid out here, and a castle was built on the island for the entertainment of the royal family. In the 20th century, the last manager of these lands transferred them to the ownership of Ireland.Although many have never even heard of it.Today, McDermott Castle is a monument of Irish history and architecture of national importance. The ruins of the ancient castle still stand on the island and attract curious tourists.
Highlights :
- The castle was rebuilt in 1800. Descriptions of the castle made by Isaac Weld in 1832 have been preserved. During World War II, the castle caught fire and the castle once again burned down.
- In 2014, episodes of the film “Joe’s Island” were filmed in the castle.
- Forest park : Lough Key Forest Park stretches along the south shore of Lough Key. This 320 hectare park was part of the Rockingham estate. The Moylurg Tower, on the site of the old Rockingham house destroyed by fire in 1957, offers a dominant view of the lake and the lawns and peat bogs of the park. Here was a residence of the British family of Stafford King Harmon until the 1950s; by the 19th century, this family owned more than 120 km² in the counties of Roscommon and Sligo.
- Abandoned castle McDermott in Ireland. It was built in the 12th century on Castle Island in the center of Loch Key and for several centuries belonged to the McDermott family, who actually lived here far from civilization. The last owner handed it over to the British Queen.
Activities : sightseeing / photo opportunities / hikes , Several hike trails in the park / Adventuring / landscape observation.
Go next : Lough Key is a lake in Ireland, north of County Roscommon, it is located approximately 40 km north of the town of Roscommon, and 3 km east of the town of Boyne.
