Cong

Cong, County Mayo, cradled between the shimmering arms of Lough Corrib and Lough Mask, feels like Ireland's best-kept secret - a place where ancient history collides with cinematic magic. This tiny village straddles two counties yet remains an island in itself, encircled by streams that whisper through its limestone bedrock. Wander its cobblestone paths, past the ruins of Cong Abbey, where Rory O'Connor, the last High King of Ireland, found his final resting place, and you'll step into centuries of stories. But it's not just history that anchors this spot; John Ford's 1952 film The Quiet Man transformed Cong into a global icon. Maureen O'Hara's sweeping green vistas and John Wayne's rugged charm are still etched into the landscape, from the abbey's arches to the river's bend.

Here, time bends between eras. Stay in Ashford Castle - a Gothic Revival marvel once owned by the Guinness family - and drift across Lough Corrib on a sunset cruise, past islands dotted with early Christian ruins. Follow trails through Cong Woods, where redwoods tower over tranquil streams, or trace the "Dry Canal," a crumbling 19th-century engineering folly. Beyond its borders lies Connemara's wild beauty and the lakeshore trails of the Burren, but Cong itself is the perfect anchor - a place where every stone tells a tale, and every breeze carries the scent of adventure waiting to unfold.

Things to See and Do

Image: Courtesy Búlabosca Films for Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle

A 13th-century castle turned luxury hotel, featuring Gothic architecture, falconry displays, and scenic Lough Corrib views. Offers golf courses, hiking trails on its estate, and historical tours.

Ashford Castle

Image: Courtesy Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark

Cong Abbey

A medieval Augustinian abbey founded in the 12th century by Saint Feichín. Features well-preserved high crosses, ruins of Rory O'Connor's tomb (last High King of Ireland), and a serene riverside setting.

Cong Abbey

Image: Courtesy of Stephen Duffy

Quiet Man Cottage Museum & Film Tour

Museum showcasing memorabilia from the 1952 film *The Quiet Man*, filmed in Cong. Includes guided tours of filming locations and a bronze statue commemorating stars John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.

Cong Woods Nature Trail

A 4km trail through ancient woodlands with exotic redwood trees. Offers photo spots, birdwatching opportunities, and views of Lough Corrib. Free entry.

Lough Corrib Cruises

Boat tours from Cong to explore the lake's islands (including Inchagoill with early Christian ruins) and wildlife. Scenic routes pass Ashford Castle and dramatic shorelines.

Pigeon Hole Loop Walk

A coastal trail with stunning cliffs and the ruin of Pigeon Hole Castle. Note: The cave featured in *The Quiet Man* is currently closed for safety.

Image: Courtesy Elizabeth Toher Photography

Monk's Fishing House

A historic stone structure built over the River Cong in the 1800s. Features a trapdoor to the water and remnants of early industrial fishing methods.

Dry Canal Walk

5km path along an unfinished famine-era canal project. Offers historical insights into 19th-century engineering and quiet lakeside views.

Cong Augustinian High Crosses

Two well-preserved medieval high crosses in the village square, carved with biblical scenes from the early Christian period (6th–12th century).

Pat Cohan's Pub & Historic Village Walk

A historic pub featured in *The Quiet Man* and part of Cong's village walking tour. Features craft beers and nearby landmarks like the Market Cross.

Image: Courtesy Barbara Warde

Inchagoill Island Visit (Lough Corrib)

Accessible by boat, this island holds prehistoric tombs and a Christian monastery ruin. Offers a glimpse into early Irish monastic life.

Image: Courtesy Helen Cathcart for Ashford Castle

Ashford Falconry School

Hands-on falconry experiences with trained birds of prey in Ashford Castle's natural woodland setting. Suitable for all ages.

Ashford Falconry School

Getting There

History

Cong's history dates back to the 7th century when Saint Feichin founded a monastery on the site. The village's Irish name, Cúnga Fheichín, translates to "Saint Feichin's narrows", referencing its location on an isthmus between Loughs Corrib and Mask. In the 12th century, the Augustinian Abbey was built by the O'Connor family, who were prominent in Irish politics - Turlough O'Connor, the High King of Ireland, commissioned the Cross of Cong, a stunning gold and silver processional cross now held in the National Museum of Ireland.

The abbey became the burial ground for Rory O'Connor, the last High King of Ireland, who spent his final years there. The 12th century also saw the construction of Ashford Castle by the De Burgo family, which would later become a luxurious hotel after being converted from a Victorian faux lakeside castle by the Guinness family.

The village has a strong connection to Irish literature, with Oscar Wilde's father, Sir William Wilde, owning a country residence in the area. The nearby village of Moytura is home to ancient stone monuments, including several stone circles dating back to the Neolithic era, where the legendary Battle of Moytura took place. In the 19th century, the Cong Canal was built as a famine relief scheme, but it never fulfilled its promise and now lies dry for most of the year.

The village's more recent claim to fame is its role in the filming of John Ford's 1952 Oscar-winning movie, The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Many scenes were filmed on location in Cong, with Ashford Castle featuring prominently. Today, visitors can walk in the footsteps of the film's stars and explore the village's historic sites, including the ruined medieval abbey and the Monk's Fishing House, where monks once caught fish for the abbey kitchens through a hole in the floor.