Photos

Medieval ruins are scattered among the many tiny islands dotted through Lough Key. The remains of a Franciscan Priory can be seen on Church Island and Castle Island has traces of the once mighty homestead of the McGreevy and MacDermot Clan. The McDermotts ruled this area until the 17th century when it was granted to the King family under the Cromwellian settlement. The Castle Island, built in the early 19th century by the King family, takes up most of this small island. The area surrounding the lake is significant in medieval Irish literature and legend. The Annals of Boyle were compiled on Trinity Island starting around 1000 AD.