Marked as a tiny island on their detailed six-inch map, this unassuming spot is actually the remains of a crannog; an ancient artificial island that once served as a dwelling place for our ancestors. These ingenious structures, built from stones, timber and earth, were constructed across Ireland's lakes and wetlands from the Bronze Age right through to the medieval period.

The crannog near Muine Beag (Moneybeg) represents just one of many such sites scattered throughout Donegal's lake-dotted terrain. These man-made islands were typically accessed by boat or via a causeway that could be easily defended or dismantled in times of trouble. The builders would drive wooden piles into the lakebed, create a stable platform, and then construct their dwellings on top; essentially creating their own defensible homesteads surrounded by water. For the families who lived there, the crannog offered protection from both wild animals and hostile neighbours, whilst providing easy access to fish and waterfowl.

Today, what remains visible at Dunlewy Lough is likely just a fraction of the original structure, with much of the timber long since rotted away beneath the waterline. The site serves as a tangible link to Ireland's past, when communities adapted ingeniously to their environment, turning the county's numerous lakes into both sanctuary and home. Though it may appear as nothing more than a small, unremarkable island to the casual observer, this crannog holds centuries of history within its submerged foundations.