Imagine a castle that’s both majestic and historic. Picture it standing by the lakeside, surrounded by the soft, cold breeze of Lough Key lake. Well, that’s McDermott’s Castle for you!

This ancient castle sits proudly on a small island in the peaceful waters of Lough Key, County Roscommon, Ireland. It’s like stepping into a living legend from Ireland’s past.

Lough Key itself is home to more than thirty wooded islands. And guess what? McDermott’s Castle is one of them! If you’re up for an adventure, explore the castle ruins and uncover the secrets hidden within its ancient walls.

Let’s take a closer look at this captivating landmark and unravel the secrets it holds.

A Journey Through Time | History

Imagine a castle so old that it’s hard to even imagine! Well, that’s McDermott’s Castle for you. Its story dates back to around 1184, a time when Ireland was split into many different kingdoms.

The castle was built by the McDermott clan, who were the ruling family in that area. These folks held power for over five whole centuries! Impressive, right? But here’s the twist: the castle sits on a tiny island, just 0.57 acres in size. So, the McDermotts also had another home on the mainland near Moylurg Tower.

During World War II, tragedy struck. Lightning set the castle ablaze, reducing it to ruins. Imagine the flames licking at its ancient stones!

McDermott’s Castle wasn’t just a pretty sight. It served as a fort during battles between rival clans and English invasions. Despite its strategic location, it couldn’t escape the fate of ruin.

In the 17th century, England claimed ownership of the land during Cromwell’s time. Then, in the 18th century, the castle became a place of amusement for the royal family. Fancy that! Later, a Welsh architect named John Nash took an interest in the castle island. Finally, in the 20th century, it found its way back to Ireland.

Legends and Lore

Let me talk about the sad story of McDermott’s Castle – there’s a tragic story that goes along with its history. It’s all about a girl named Úna Bhán!

Úna was the lovely daughter of McDermott. She fell in love over heels for Tomás Láidir, a guy from a rival clan.

But here’s the thing – Úna’s dad didn’t approve of her relationship with Tomás. So, they had to keep their love a secret.

Tomás used to swim across Lough Key to see Úna at the castle. But one day, something terrible happened – he drowned in the lake

And that’s not all here – poor Úna was so heartbroken over losing Tomás that she passed away too.

Some folks say you can still feel their spirits wandering around the castle ruins, forever bound by their love and the tragedy that tore them apart.

Visitor Experience | When to Visit Mcdermott’s Castle

Let’s talk about Castle Island – it’s pretty much abandoned and covered in ivy both inside and out. But even so, when you get there, you can’t help but be amazed by the ancient stones and wonder about the people who used to live there.

Here’s something surprising though – McDermott’s Castle and Lough Key are open to visitors all year round. But be warned, it can get pretty crowded. So if you want to see them at their best, it’s best to visit when they’re at their most popular!

Explore Further Sights

Next to McDermott’s Castle, you’ll find the lovely Lough Key Forest Park – it’s definitely worth checking out! This park is absolutely stunning and covers about 800 hectares of land.

You can find it around 40 km north of Poscommon and 3 km east of Bone. People say it’s one of the most beautiful parks in Ireland. And there are so many cool things to see there – like the observation tower, wishing chair, underground tunnels, Trinity Bridge, and the Bog garden. You won’t want to miss any of them when you visit Lough Key Forest Park!

Bonus Information

Let’s talk about this island and fortress – they were actually featured in the Emmy award-winning TV show, “Moone Boy”.

Back in 1890, the famous poet W.B. Yeats paid a visit to this island and fell head over heels for the castle. He even wanted to buy it and turn it into an art center, but sadly, that dream never came true.

If you’re into boating or kayaking, Lough Key is the place to be. You can access Castle Island from here, and the best part is, you can do it any time of the year!

Once you’ve taken in the amazing view of McDermott’s Castle Island, why not explore some of the other islands? There’s Trinity Island, where some say Una Bhàn is buried.

Now, I won’t say you should visit McDermott’s Castle – I mean, come on, it’s pretty obvious! This castle is full of Ireland’s rich history and heritage. You’ll feel the vibes as soon as you set foot on the site!