Irish castle McDermott: who decided to build a castle on a tiny island (6 photos)

How did the castle in the middle of the lake.





Castles, even if only ruins are left of them, are always very beautiful, mysterious and arouse curiosity. They are legendary and myths, although often their walls contain a very fascinating past.



They built it in the middle of the lake on a small island, and it really magnificent, although it lies in ruins. We are at TravelAsk too this castle was shown several times, and now they decided to find it out history.

Who decided to take refuge on the island

Ireland in the Middle Ages was a kingdoms that were constantly at war. Loch Key in the 10th century and lands around were the territory of the kingdom of Moilurg, which was ruled by the family McDermott. In the 12th century, the family chose the nameless island in the middle of the lake and ordered to build a castle on it.





Moilurg did not last long: in the same XII century, he was defeated and retreated to the neighboring kingdom of Connacht. However the McDermott family did not leave their estate, living in the castle until the XVI century. Later, these lands were bought by another family - King. The family was rich and she had many properties, so that behind the castle on the island of Lough Key no one didn't really follow. As a result, the McDermott estate fell into disrepair and turned into ruin.



Today, the castle remains private property, and even participated in the auction several times. However, he has the status national monument, therefore open to the public: to get to it possible by boat.

Irish legend

But that's not all about McDermott: the castle has a beautiful a legend that over the centuries has become much more popular than the real past. It is believed that the castle on the island appeared for a reason, it became a prison for one of the daughters of the McDermott family. The girl fell in love with a simple boyfriend, but her father was against such a union and settled her on the island.



One day a young man decided to swim to the island, to see his beloved, but drowned. The girl mourned for a long time her chosen one and died of grief. The lovers were buried together oak trees that grow on the island.



This legend has long supplanted real history and is much more popular than the real past of the castle: it is more readily told by residents these lands and guides.