Tag Archives: AUGHNANURE CASTLE

CONG – COUNTY GALWAY – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND ‪#discoverireland

The road to Cong

Our sixth day in Ireland was a full one; this post is just the half of it.  We started off at Aughnanure Castle and drove part way around Lough Corbid to the Friary of Ross Errilly.  We continued our loop around the lough to the North and arrived in Cong.

Map

The 1111 Synod of Ráth Breasail included Cong (Cunga Féichin) among the five dioceses it approved for Connacht, but in 1152 the Synod of Kells excluded it from its list and assigned what would be its territory to the archdiocese of Tuam.[2][3] No longer a residential bishopric, Cunga Féichin is today listed by the Catholic Church as a titular see.[4]

Cong was also the home of Sir William Wilde, historian and father to prominent playwright, novelist, poet, and short story writer Oscar Wilde.

-Wikipedia

Cong Abbey

Cong Abbey

Founded in 623 AD by St. Feichin as a monastery this site was then chosen by Turlough Mor O’Conor, High King of Connacht and of Ireland, as the Royal Augustinian Abbey of Cong was built in 1120 AD for the Canons Regular of the Order of St. Augustine.  The Royal Abbey of

Cong Abbey

Cong is one of the finest examples of early architecture in Ireland. Examples of the wonderful craftsmanship is still very much in evidence today with the Abbey’s Gothic windows, Romanesque doors and windows, clustered pillars, arches, standing columns and floral capitals.

Cong

Cong is like many other charming villages throughout Ireland.  Colorful shops and pubs line the narrow streets.

Cong was the filming location for John Ford‘s 1952 Oscar-winning film, The Quiet Man,[5]featuring John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara and Barry Fitzgerald. Much of the film was filmed on the grounds of Ashford Castle. The town and castle area remain little changed since 1952, and Cong’s connection with the movie make it a tourist attraction. (The film is still celebrated by the local “Quiet Man Fan Club”).

-Wikipedia

There is a pub so named – The Quiet Man Pub.

The Quiet Man Pub

The Monk’s Fishing House

The grounds of the St Mary of the Rosary Catholic Church had several walking paths; one of which that lead to the Monk’s Fishing House.  Built in the 15th or 16th century, on an island in the River Cong leading towards nearby Lough Corrib. The house was built on a platform of stones over a small arch which allows the river to flow underneath the floor. The trapdoor in the floor was likely used to keep fish fresh.  According to local tradition, there was a line connected from the fishing house to the monastery kitchen to alert the cook to fresh fish.

The day was still young; we made our way West toward the next destination (& post), Roundstone.

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OUGHTERARD & AUGHNANURE CASTLE – COUNTY GALWAY – REPUBLIC OF IRELAND ‪#discoverireland

OUGHTERARD

After a much-needed and restful night sleep at Corrib View Country House (just to the East of Oughterard on Lough Corrib) we sat down to another version of a Traditional Irish Breakfast.  It was always different: 1 or 2 eggs; with or without white and/or black pudding.  There was always ample tasty meat thought.  The sausage was pretty consistent throughout our travels.  It had a creamy texture and great flavor.  At 10g fat per link I now know why.  So good.

Just down the way a bit from our B&B was Aughnanure Castle.  We stopped by the previous evening before checking into our B&B, but it was about to close.  We instead went back to Oughterard to look around and get a bite to eat.  The town center was very busy with foot traffic and patrons have a pint (or several).  The streets were lined with shops – no strip mall style anything here.  We located a nice pub with fish & chips easily.  You can never go wrong with fish & chips.  We were very tired from a full day of travel and sightseeing, but could not resist stopping by and old cemetery we drove by on the way into town.

AUGHNANURE CASTLE

Google Maps describes this site as a well-preserved Irish tower fortress with gargantuan fireplaces and a watchtower you can climb.

Built by the O’Flahertys c. 1500, Aughnanure Castle lies in picturesque surroundings close to the shores of Lough Corrib.  In 1546 the O’Flaherty’s motto “Fortune favours the strong” and the powerful Mayo O’Malleys Motto “Powerful by land and by sea“, were joined in the marriage of Donal an Chogaidh O’Flaherty and Grainuaile/Grace O’Malley.  Standing on what is virtually a rocky island, the castle is a particularly well-preserved example of an Irish tower house. In addition, visitors will find the remains of a banqueting hall, a watch tower, an unusual double bawn and bastions and a dry harbour.

Heritage Ireland

I very much enjoyed visiting this castle as there were very few people milling about.  The setting was beautiful with the lazy Drimneed River flowing by the outer stone walls on two sides.  All structures such as these typically have an interesting feature known as a meurtrière at a main gateway to the premise to thwart attackers , but I’d never heard it described as a “Murder Hole” before.  It is quite an accurate description really.

This one was relatively small; I am guessing as this whole site wasn’t large in comparison to some castles, but a murder hole nonetheless is was.

Here are some additional  images of the interior.

Diagram of Aughnanure Castle c. 1500s – Oughterard Heritage

Back in the 1500s this site was a bit more formidable.  Today most of the inner walls are gone while the outer walls remain intact.  We were fortunate; during our visit in the morning there were very few people there which allowed for easy photographing.

Here are some photos of the grounds.  The softer light the evening before was nicer (first two photos) than the bright sunshine of the next morning.

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