Cong & Ashford Castle

Cong is a sleepy village on the border of the counties Mayo and Galway, best known for being the location where the Oscar-winning film The Quiet Man was shot in the 1950s. The ruins of Cong Abbey, a 13th-century Augustinian abbey, are quite impressive, and represent some of the best examples of medieval architecture in Ireland. The nearby Lough Corrib, Ireland’s second largest lake is a great place to go on a scenic cruise. Inchagoill Island, the fourth largest of the 365 islands on Lough Corrib, is known for its ancient monastic ruins, going back to 5 AD. Cong is also home to Ashford Castle, a medieval lakeside castle, previously owned by the Guinness family, which is now a luxury hotel. The 13th-century castle is nestled in a 350-acre sprawling woodland on the shore of Lough Corrib. The estate offers many activities for guests, including horse riding, fishing, cycling, kayaking and archery. But the most fun of them all is falconry―the castle is home to the oldest falconry school in Ireland. Go on a private ‘hawk walk’, where you get the opportunity to fly a Harris Hawk, under supervision of course. Splurge a bit and stay at the Ashford Castle, or the adjoining Lodge, for a taste of luxury and unmatched Irish hospitality.