Castle Island, Roscommon, Ireland
Lough Key is in the northeast of Connacht, near Boyle. The lough is named after Ce', a druid who drowned when the lake was created, according to legend. The castle is known as MacDermott's, or McGreevys, Castle.
The Annals of Loch Cé report that the castle was burned down in 1187 by lightning.
During the conquest of Connacht in 1235, the castle came under siege by 500 knights, a raft-mounted catapult and fire ships.
A poem to the MacDermot King of Moylurg (1421-1458) tells the story of the Hag of Loch Ce who lived on the island for a year, and laid upon the MacDermot family the obligation of perpetual hospitality.


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