McDermott's Castle, Medieval castle on Castle Island in Lough Key, County Roscommon, Ireland
McDermott's Castle is a stone fortress on a small island in Lough Key, featuring remains of medieval walls and a 19th-century tower with crenellations. The ruins reveal different building phases and show how the structure evolved over time.
The original castle dates from the 12th century but was destroyed by lightning in 1184. The MacDermott clan rebuilt fortifications on the same site afterward.
The castle is linked to the legend of Una Bhan, a story of forbidden love between a clan chief's daughter and her beloved that inspired poet W.B. Yeats. The tale remains part of how visitors experience the place today, connecting them to local folklore.
The castle is only accessible by boat from Lough Key Forest Park. The best time to visit is during spring and summer when guided tours are regularly offered.
The castle served as a filming location for the television series Moone Boy in 2014, with actors Steve Coogan and Johnny Vegas. The episodes reached millions of viewers around the world.
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