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.
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.
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 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”).
There is a pub so named – 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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