Editing Lough Key (section)

==Lough Key Forest Park==

[[File:Moylurg tower, Lough Key, Roscommon.jpg|thumb|Moylurg tower, a viewing tower at the edge of Lough Key, Roscommon, Ireland. Built on the site of Rockingham House in 1973.]]

Immediately to the south of the lough is [[Lough Key Forest Park]], a popular destination for recreational walkers. The park, opened in 1972,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie/publications/release.asp?ID=1248 |title=Speech by Minister O'Donoghue at the 'turning of the sod' ceremony in Lough Key Forest Park, Co. Roscommon |publisher=Arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie |date=2006-02-23 |accessdate=2011-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614061154/http://www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie/publications/release.asp?ID=1248 |archive-date=14 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> covers {{convert|865|acre|ha}} formerly part of the Rockingham estate. The [[Moylurg Tower]], a viewing tower built in 1973, stands on the site of the old Rockingham house overlooking the lake to the north and lawns to the south.<ref>{{cite web|title=1810 – Rockingham, Boyle, Co. Roscommon|url=http://archiseek.com/2012/1810-rockingham-boyle-co-roscommon/|website=Archiseek|accessdate=10 April 2017}}</ref> There are many amenities in the park including [http://www.loughkeyboats.com boat tours, boats for hire, water activities], camping and caravan park, an outdoor playground and shop. A 2007 development<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/press/pressreleases/2007/may/title,13477,en.html |title=Minister Coughlan opens Lough Key Forest and Activity Park |publisher= Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food - Agriculture.gov.ie |date=2007-05-15 |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref> added a number of new attractions including a forest canopy walkway and children's play areas, to cater to the "21st-century visitor".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.loughkey.ie/ |title=Home &#124; Lough Key Forest and Activity Park |publisher=Loughkey.ie |date= |accessdate=2011-04-09}}</ref>

Sir [[Cecil Stafford-King-Harman]] (1895–1987), second (and last) Baronet of Rockingham{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}, 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 {{convert|50|acre|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 fort]]s, 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 Cé|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 [[Ballyfarnon|Kilronan]], three miles (5&nbsp;km) to the north of the lake.