A photo has emerged of a mystery mansion hidden deep inside a forest that burned down a century ago.
The snap, taken by a drone, shows the ruins of a stately home in Ireland, with trees encroaching on the property, which is slowly being covered in greenery.
Moore Hall in Carnacon, County Mayo, is the former house and estate of the Moore family, reports the Irish Mirror.
It was burned down nearly 100 years ago during the Irish Civil War by members of the anti-treaty Irish Republican Army.
The home has never been restored and visitors describe it as "magical" and a "hidden gem".
Mayo County Council purchased it in 2018 for €400,000 (£340,400) with the intention of enhancing and developing it as a nature reserve and tourist attraction.
The 80-acre woodland estate overlooks Lough Carra in west Mayo, and is all open to the public.
One tourist wrote: “We explored from one tip to the other on this beautiful island. Just a short walk from the parking lot, this spot is magical, like you're walking through a fairy tale book.”
Another said: “Absolutely beautiful place. Such a hidden gem. Wonderful walk around the forest. Stunning spot.”
It was built in 1792 and is situated on Muckloon Hill, a 20-minute drive from Castlebar.
It is a place of national historic significance.
Members of the Moore family have played major parts in the social, cultural, literary and political history of Ireland from the late 1700s to the early 1900s.
The house was destroyed on February 1, 1923, because Maurice Moore, the brother of the owner of Moore Hall, was viewed as pro-Treaty.
George Moore, the owner, wrote a letter to The Morning Post two weeks after the burning where he quoted someone who described watching the ancestral home go up in flames.
He wrote: “I was sitting in my lodge reading when armed men who were perfect strangers to me came to the door and demanded the keys.
"I asked what for and was told that a column was going to be put up there for the night…
“I had no option but to give up the keys, and suspecting what was on I pointed out to the leader that the house was not Colonel Moore's property. This had no effect.
“I sat up all night hoping that when all would be clear I could save even a portion of the library. At four o'clock I heard four loud explosions.
“At five I went to the place and found the whole house was seething in a mass of flames. I at once saw that all was hopeless.
“A fire brigade would be powerless, so firmly had the flames gripped the entire building.
“I could do nothing but stand by and await the end with the same feelings that one has when attending the open grave of a very dear friend.”
