Lough Key
Encyclopedia
Lough Key is a lake in Ireland
. It is located in the northwest of County Roscommon
, northeast of the town of Boyle
. The lough
's name is believed to come from Cé
, a druid
; the lake was formed over his grave.
The lake is several kilometres across and contains over thirty wooded islands including Castle Island, Trinity Island, Orchard Island, Stag Island, Bullock Island, and Drumman's Island. Castle Island has had a number of structures built on it over the centuries. The earliest record dates to 1184, in the Annals of Loch Cé, where a lighting strike is reported to have started a fire in "The Rock of Loch-Cé," a "very magnificent, kingly residence." Currently a folly
castle built in the early 19th century by the King family stands on the island. Trinity and Church Islands each have the ruins of medieval priories
standing on them.
to Rockingham. In 1809, Rockingham House – a mansion designed by English architect John Nash
– was built. The house remained the seat of the Stafford-King-Harman family until it was badly damaged in a fire in 1957. It was subsequently demolished in 1970, despite earlier pledges by the Irish government
to restore this historically important building.
, a popular destination for recreational walkers. The park, opened in 1972, covers 865 acres (350.1 ha) formerly part of the Rockingham estate. The Moylurg Tower, standing on the site of the old Rockingham house, now stands overlooking the lake to the north and lawns to the south. There are many amenities in the park including boat tours, boats for hire, water activities, camping and caravan park, an outdoor playground and shop. A 2007 development added a number of new attractions including a forest canopy walkway and children's play areas, to cater to the "21st century visitor."
Sir Cecil Stafford-King-Harman (1895–1987), second (and last) Baronet of Rockingham, ensured that the land went back to the people of Ireland through the Irish Land Commission
, who subdivided the pasture land into several farms of approximately 50 acres (20.2 ha) and granted these to local people. An extensive area around the then-derelict Rockingham house became the Forest Park and this was looked after by the Department of Forestry. It is currently in the care of Coillte, a semi-state body. The park contains the remains of five ring forts, giving evidence of the long habitation of this region.
The area surrounding the lake is significant in medieval Irish literature and legend. Starting around 1000 AD, the Annals of Boyle
were compiled on Trinity Island, and from 1253 to 1590 the Annals of Lough Key
continued from where the Boyle annals ended. Lough Key was also the site for the legend of Una Bháin. Famed harpist Turlough O'Carolan
is buried at Kilronan, three miles (5 km) to the north of the lake.
The lake is in the northern part of the River Shannon
drainage basin
, and feeds a short tributary of that river which joins the main river at Lough Drumharlow, 13 km (8.1 mi) to the east.
One can see an impressive view of the lake from the N4 road as it ascends the Curlew Mountains
after bypassing Boyle. The view is enhanced by a modern steel sculpture of an Irish chieftain mounted on horseback (see photograph).
:
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. It is located in the northwest of County Roscommon
County Roscommon
County Roscommon is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the town of Roscommon. Roscommon County Council is the local authority for the county...
, northeast of the town of Boyle
Boyle, County Roscommon
Boyle is a town in County Roscommon, Ireland. It is located at the foot of the Curlew Mountains near Lough Key in the north of the county. Carrowkeel Megalithic Cemetery, the Drumanone Dolmen and the popular fishing lakes of Lough Arrow and Lough Gara are also close by...
. The lough
Lough
A lough is a body of water and is either:* A lake* A sea lough, which may be a fjord, estuary, bay, or sea inlet.It can also be used as a surname, with various pronunciations: law, loch, low, lowe, loth, loff....
's name is believed to come from Cé
Cé
Cé was the druid of Nuada of the Silver Hand. He was wounded in the Second Battle of Mag Tuired and fled southward till he came to Carn Corrslebe. Taking respite from his journey and his wounds aching, he saw ahead of him a beautiful plain full of flowers. He desired greatly to reach it, and when...
, a druid
Druid
A druid was a member of the priestly class in Britain, Ireland, and Gaul, and possibly other parts of Celtic western Europe, during the Iron Age....
; the lake was formed over his grave.
Derivation of name
The name Lough key, derives from ce', the druid of nuadha of the silver arm, king of the tuatha de danann who, according to legend, was drowned when the waters of the lake burst forth from the earth.Background
The area around Lough Key and the nearby town of Boyle, in County Roscommon, have been inhabited for thousands of years.The lake is several kilometres across and contains over thirty wooded islands including Castle Island, Trinity Island, Orchard Island, Stag Island, Bullock Island, and Drumman's Island. Castle Island has had a number of structures built on it over the centuries. The earliest record dates to 1184, in the Annals of Loch Cé, where a lighting strike is reported to have started a fire in "The Rock of Loch-Cé," a "very magnificent, kingly residence." Currently a folly
Folly
In architecture, a folly is a building constructed primarily for decoration, but either suggesting by its appearance some other purpose, or merely so extravagant that it transcends the normal range of garden ornaments or other class of building to which it belongs...
castle built in the early 19th century by the King family stands on the island. Trinity and Church Islands each have the ruins of medieval priories
Priory
A priory is a house of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or religious sisters , or monasteries of monks or nuns .The Benedictines and their offshoots , the Premonstratensians, and the...
standing on them.
17th-20th centuries
The King family acquired the land around Lough Key in the 17th century Cromwellian Settlement, renaming the area from MoylurgMoylurg
Magh Luirg or Magh Luirg an Dagda, Anglicised as Moylurg, was the name of a kingdom located in the north-east of Connacht, the western province of Ireland, from c.956-1585...
to Rockingham. In 1809, Rockingham House – a mansion designed by English architect John Nash
John Nash (architect)
John Nash was a British architect responsible for much of the layout of Regency London.-Biography:Born in Lambeth, London, the son of a Welsh millwright, Nash trained with the architect Sir Robert Taylor. He established his own practice in 1777, but his career was initially unsuccessful and...
– was built. The house remained the seat of the Stafford-King-Harman family until it was badly damaged in a fire in 1957. It was subsequently demolished in 1970, despite earlier pledges by the Irish government
Irish Government
The Government of Ireland is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland.-Members of the Government:Membership of the Government is regulated fundamentally by the Constitution of Ireland. The Government is headed by a prime minister called the Taoiseach...
to restore this historically important building.
Lough Key Forest Park
Immediately to the south of the lough is Lough Key Forest ParkLough Key Forest Park
Lough Key Forest Park is an 800 hectare park on the southern shore of Lough Key, 40 km south east of Sligo town and 3 km east of Boyle in the Republic of Ireland. Formerly part of the Rockingham estate, it is open to the public....
, a popular destination for recreational walkers. The park, opened in 1972, covers 865 acres (350.1 ha) formerly part of the Rockingham estate. The Moylurg Tower, standing on the site of the old Rockingham house, now stands overlooking the lake to the north and lawns to the south. There are many amenities in the park including boat tours, boats for hire, water activities, camping and caravan park, an outdoor playground and shop. A 2007 development added a number of new attractions including a forest canopy walkway and children's play areas, to cater to the "21st century visitor."
Sir Cecil Stafford-King-Harman (1895–1987), second (and last) Baronet of Rockingham, ensured that the land went back to the people of Ireland through the Irish Land Commission
Irish Land Commission
The Irish Land Commission was created in 1881 as a rent fixing commission by the Land Law Act 1881, also known as the second Irish Land Act...
, who subdivided the pasture land into several farms of approximately 50 acres (20.2 ha) and granted these to local people. An extensive area around the then-derelict Rockingham house became the Forest Park and this was looked after by the Department of Forestry. It is currently in the care of Coillte, a semi-state body. The park contains the remains of five ring forts, giving evidence of the long habitation of this region.
The area surrounding the lake is significant in medieval Irish literature and legend. Starting around 1000 AD, the Annals of Boyle
Annals of Boyle
The Annals of Boyle, also Cottonian Annals, are a chronicle of medieval Ireland. The entries span the years up to 1253. It is considered one of the works that forms The Chronicle of Ireland, although in summary form compared to others....
were compiled on Trinity Island, and from 1253 to 1590 the Annals of Lough Key
Annals of Lough Cé
The Annals of Loch Cé cover events, mainly in Connacht and its neighbouring regions, from 1014 to 1590. It takes its name from Lough Cé in the kingdom of Moylurg - now north County Roscommon - which was the centre of power of the Clan MacDermot...
continued from where the Boyle annals ended. Lough Key was also the site for the legend of Una Bháin. Famed harpist Turlough O'Carolan
Turlough O'Carolan
Turlough Carolan, also known as Turlough O'Carolan, was a blind, early Irish harper, composer and singer whose great fame is due to his gift for melodic composition. He was the last great Irish harper-composer and is considered by many to be Ireland's national composer...
is buried at Kilronan, three miles (5 km) to the north of the lake.
The lake is in the northern part of the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
drainage basin
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
, and feeds a short tributary of that river which joins the main river at Lough Drumharlow, 13 km (8.1 mi) to the east.
One can see an impressive view of the lake from the N4 road as it ascends the Curlew Mountains
Curlew Mountains
Viewed to the west travelling north, dominates the surrounding lakes of the north Roscommon and Leitrim countryside. Situated between Boyle, and Castlebalwin, the Curlew Mountains oversees the north Connacht countryside....
after bypassing Boyle. The view is enhanced by a modern steel sculpture of an Irish chieftain mounted on horseback (see photograph).
Annalistic references
From the Annals of the Four MastersAnnals of the Four Masters
The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...
:
- M955.11 - The fleet of Fearghal, son of Art, upon Loch-Ce.