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.

-Wikipedia

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”).

-Wikipedia

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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FRIARY OF ROSS ERRILLY

We stumbled on this little gem accidentally while driving a loop around Lough Corrib via Galway. Most of our itinerary was pre-scouted via Google Maps and other websites. I am very appreciative of those that have went before us and shared images so you at least have some idea of what to expect when you arrive. This is nice from not only a sightseeing perspective, but also a photographer perspective. I do enjoy a complete blind surprise such as this as well.

We saw the structure from the main road and wasted no time making our way toward it. This marvelous ruin is in near to the County Galway and County Mayo line near Headford. You need only wonder a wee bit from the friary to reach the banks of the Black River.

Fish Tank

This site is touted as the most popular tourist attraction in the area. When we arrived we had the entire place to ourselves. While we were getting our cameras situated a local man came walking down the road and provided us with a wonder historical account of friary. He spoke of an unusual feature inside – a water tank to hold live fish from river until eaten.

The Ross Errilly Friary (Irish: Mainistir Ros Oirialaigh, often anglicised in 18th & 19th century sources as Rosserelly) is a medieval Franciscan friary located about a mile to the northwest of Headford, County Galway, Ireland. It is a National Monument of Ireland and among the best-preserved medieval monastic sites in the country. Though usually referred to by locals as “Ross Abbey,” this is not technically correct as the community never had an abbot.

The church and bell tower are to the south of a small but well preserved central cloister and domestic buildings are to the north. Amongst these are a kitchen (equipped with an oven and a water tank for live fish), a bake house, and a refectory or dining area. The dormitories are on the upper levels. One unusual feature is a second courtyard or cloister, built to accommodate the friary’s growing population. -Wikipedia

We spent a lot of time here; it is very easy to do. There is much to look at and lots to explore. The surrounding countryside is quite picturesque as well. It is easy to image the monks living here and farming the land.