McDermott’s Castle, an enchanting Irish castle situated on a small island in Lough Key, Co Roscommon, is like something straight out of a Disney fairytale. Despite its charm, it remains an under-visited gem when tourists come to Ireland.

The castle, nestled on Castle Island, stands alone among the many islands in the lake as the only one with castle ruins.

From the 10th to 16th centuries, the Mac Diarmada family ruled Magh Luirg. A 2019 excavation revealed that some structures on the island date back to the Middle Ages, suggesting the castle has been standing since the 12th century.

Legend has it that the castle was struck by lightning and subsequently caught fire. The castle that stands today was rebuilt in the 18th century, and while much of it lies in ruins reclaimed by nature, some of its most beautiful features remain intact.

The castle’s history is steeped in tragedy. Una, the daughter of Chieftain McDermott, fell in love with a lower-class boy whom her father disapproved of.

The boy would swim across the lake to meet Una, but tragically drowned during one such attempt. Heartbroken, Una is said to have died from grief, and legend has it that the two lovers are buried beneath two intertwined trees on the island.

These days, the island is accessible to visitors throughout the year and guided tours are on offer. It’s never overly crowded, so you won’t have to worry about being swamped by hordes of tourists.

You also have the option to hire a boat from Lough Key Boats and navigate the lake and its islands at your own pace. Despite much of the castle being in ruins, it still offers a unique experience.

Other islands on the lake house the remnants of churches and towers. While these islands are currently uninhabited, one can only imagine how impressive these structures would have looked when they were still intact and in use.