Lough  Key  Forest  Park

 Tel: 071 9673122    Email: info@loughkey.ie   

 Web: www.loughkey.ie

The park, opened in 1972, covers 865 acres (350 ha) formerly part of the Rockingham estate. The Moylurg Tower, standing on the site of the old Rockingham house, now stands overlooking the lake to the north and lawns to the south.

Sir Cecil Stafford-King-Harman (1895–1987), second (and last) Baronet of Rockingham, 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 50 acres (20 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.

Opening hours for 2019/20 season
Oct’19 to Mar’20 – Wed to Sun 10am to 5pm
April’20 to Sept’20  – 7 days a week 10am to 6pm

Gate  Lodge

This fine Gothic style gate house formed a spectacular entrance into the Rockingham Demesne. The gate house was possibly designed by the architect John Nash, who was responsible for the house, or by his draftsman Humphrey Repton who is credited with the design of many of Rockingham's lodges. This building, with its crenellated parapet and limestone dressings differs hugely from the other more classically designed lodges associated with the demesne. Built in a Gothic idiom, it is an outstanding and an impressive entranceway to the estate. 

Lough  Key  Experience

Discover how this fascinating landscape has been shaped; from underground to up amongst the treetops, ‘Irelands only Tree Canopy Walk’, is a truly unique experience immersing you in the history, flora and fauna that make Lough Key so unique.

This is a self-guided tour so therefore there is no time limit on your journey through time…… The beauty of this is that you can spend as much or little time as you want on this magical journey.

Rockingham  Arch

In 1809 Viscount Lorton commissioned the famous architect John Nash to build a lavish mansion in the Rockingham Demesne on the slightly elevated hill that overlooks Lough Key. Around the same time he also commissioned the famous landscape architect John Sutherland to create a landscaped park.

This involved building bridges, canals, follies as well as the planting of numerous trees. Rockingham Arch is an example of the numerous gate lodges that were built in the early 1800’s on the estate while Viscount Lorton was landlord. This was the entrance to the estate from Abbeytown.

Rockingham  Estate

The McDermott’s official residence was on The Rock, now called Castle Island. As space was limited on this small island they had another residence on the mainland where the Moylurg Tower stands today. The McDermotts ruled this area until the 17th century when it was granted to the King family from England under the Cromwellian settlement. The King family spent their time between the town of Boyle and Moylurg which they renamed Rockingham. One of the large mansions they built was called Rockingham House and was built where the Moylurg Tower now stands.

The famous architect John Nash designed the house in 1809/10. He was the renowned architect responsible for building the Regents Park and Regents Street in London. He has also been credited for building the “Tiara” gate-lodge on the N4 entrance and also the Fairy Bridge on the estate.

In 1957 the house was destroyed by fire, believed to have started in the upper basement due to an electrical fault. The state took over the land in the 1950’s and the remaining walls of the house were demolished in 1971. A concrete viewing tower called The Moylurg Tower was built on the site of the house in 1973.

To find out more information, books can be purchased about Lough Key and Rockingham Estate here and here.