Lough Key

This beautiful landscape is steeped in a rich history, beginning with Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements, continuing through the 12th Century rule of the MacDermot Clan and up to the 1600’s when the Lough Key lands were granted to an English family under the Cromwellian settlement. The Kings resided at Rockingham, as their estate was known, until 1957 when a huge fire destroyed their mansion, although it was the early 1970s before the ruins were finally razed to the ground.

Now after major development the historic backdrop encompasses a landmark cluster of unique attractions serving the needs of a 21st century visitor with a new lakeside centre providing an ideal gateway for gentle leisurely activities or more energetic pursuits in the Park.

Autumn and Winter at Lough Key is now every bit as beautiful as the summer under this new major development, the Visitor Centre is the gateway to more than 800 acres of parkland and forest at Lough Key. Its contemporary design showcases timber frame construction from renewable sources while embracing the landscape it sits in. The large area of glazing to the front of the centre captures the magnificent views over Lough Key in addition to maximising passive solar gain making the building highly energy efficient. This new visitor centre and other attractions are now open through the seasons all year round.