McDermott Castle - County Roscommon Ireland

Situated on the half acre site of Castle Island, McDermott Castle (Carraig Mhic Dhiarmada) is located in the Southwest corner of Lough Key in county Roscommon. Accessible only by water, McDermott Castle was built during the 12th Century. According to the Annals of Lough Cé, a lighting strike in 1184 caused a fire on the island and most of its inhabitants were killed in the flames or drowned in the water.

Castle Island is one of thirty islands in Lough Key which is fed by the Boyle river and is surrounded by Lough Key Forest Park. Previously called Moylurg, this region was ruled by the McDermotts until the 17th Century when it was given to the King Family from England under the Cromwellian settlement.

Legend has it that Una, daughter of the McDermott chief, fell in love with a mainland boy from the lower class. In the hopes of putting an end to their relationship, Una's father refused to let her leave the island, but Una's boyfriend began swimming across Lough Key to see her. Tragically, during one of these crossings the boy drowned and Una is said to have subsequently died from grief. Supposedly, the two lovers are buried beneath the roots of two intertwined trees growing on the island.


Location:
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Video By: Atomic Kinship
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Music Credit: "Julia Delaney" by Sláinte