Almost always mentioned when talking about the classic film ‘The Quiet Man’, the formerly sleepy town of Cong became a tourist hub where fans of the film continue to visit even after 70 years.
This village, which is somewhere between the border of Galway and Mayo, is perhaps the most famous of all the film’s locations.
Besides being a film set though, Cong has a lot more for its visitors.
There’s the massive Ashford Castle Estate, the Cong Augustinian Abbey, lessons in fishing, horseback riding trails, amazing Ireland’s School of Falconry and so much more.
Check out this list of some of the best things to do in Cong, Ireland.
Things you'll find in this article
10 Best Things To Do In Cong, Ireland (For 2024)
1. Cong Canal
Extending from Ballinchalla Bay on Lough Mask towards Cong in County Mayo, the Canal is an ideal place for a leisurely stroll, biking, and most especially fishing.
It is regarded as a good brown trout fishery where the average weight of the trout caught is probably 2 lbs.
You can watch other people try their luck at catching one of these trouts or do it yourself.
The Cong Canal in itself is quite a scenic area so it’s a nice place to just relax as well.
Contact Information
Address: Keel Bridge, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Phone: 1890 20 20 21 or +353 (0)1 888 20 00
Email: niah@ahg.gov.ie
2. Ashford Castle Golf Course
If you’ve never tried golf and wanted to experience it in an extraordinary setting, then head on to the Ashford Castle Golf Course.
Aside from its proximity to a castle hotel, you’re also surrounded by nature as this delightful 9-hole parkland course situated on the shores of Lough Corrib, with mature woodland and spectacular wherever you look.
Designed by Eddie Hackett, Ashford Castle golf course is a 9-hole, par-35 parkland course that’s 2,996 yards in length.
It takes about two hours to play a nine-hole round of golf while walking the course. The Ashford Castle Golf Course’ magnificent surroundings provide the perfect environment for golfers of all ages and abilities, making it one of the top things to do in Cong.
Admission Fee
costs €5 for adults and €3.50 for children
Contact Information
Address : Cong, County Mayo, Ireland
Phone: +353 94 954 6003
Email: reservations@ashfordcastle.com
3. Augustinian Abbey
The Augustinian abbey in Cong was founded in the early 12th century by Turlough O’Connor, High King of Ireland.
It was established on the site of a 6th-century church. One of the best things to see in Cong, a visit allows you to see the ruins of the abbey.
At one time, the abbey had 3,000 inhabitants, who were excellent scholars and skilled craftsmen. The place is also where Rory O’Connor, Ireland’s last High King, died.
Opening Hours
Monday – Sunday – 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Admission Fee
| Member – Join now | Free | Free |
| Adult | £7.20 | £8.00 |
| Child (5-17 years) | £4.30 | £4.80 |
| Concession | £6.50 | £7.20 |
| Family (2 adults, up to 3 children) | £18.70 | £20.80 |
| Overseas Visitor Pass (9 or 16 days unlimited) | Buy now |
Contact Information
Address: St. Augustines Road, Ramsgate CT11 9PA, England
4.Bayview Angling Centre
If you’re going to be in an island village by a laugh then it’s only fitting that you try fishing. How about catching your own lunch?
The Bayview Angling Centre operates game, coarse, and pike angling on the shore of Lough Corrib. One of the top things to do in Cong, they offer advice and local knowledge as well as quality boat and equipment hire.
The experienced guides will help with information on flies, tips on how to catch the first salmon and the best baits to use if spinning or trolling for trout, salmon or pike.
They also have fishing tackle for hire as well as facilities and a drying room for guest use.
Opening Hours
Monday – Sunday – 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Contact Information
Address: Cong, Co. Mayo, Ireland
Phone: 00353 (0)94 95 46385
Email: bayviewac@gmail.com
5. Ireland’s School of Falconry
A unique thing to do in Cong is a visit to Ireland’s School of Falconry.
Sounds like something you’ll only read about in Harry Potter books, but the place is real and offers an unrivaled opportunity to fly a hawk around the spectacular grounds of Ashford Castle.
Each hawk walk lasts for an hour and is a private experience for visitors. You’ll only have a falconer and hawk, or team of hawks, all to yourself.
Within minutes of arriving, you’ll set off around the beautiful gardens and woodlands to fly a hawk and to experience that incredible moment when a hawk swoops down from a tree to land on your gloved fist.
You can bring companions to take photos or just watch free of charge.
Opening Hours
Monday – Sunday – 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Contact Information
Address: Cong, Co. Mayo, Ireland
Phone: 00353 (0)94 95 46385
Email: bayviewac@gmail.com
6. Ashford Equestrian Centre
Located right next to the island village of Cong and nestled within the Ashford Castle estate is the equestrian center.
Not just for experienced horse riding enthusiasts, but also for those who are just starting to learn to simply want to experience it.
They offer trail riding by the hour for beginners as well as for people who have never ridden.
Riding on horseback is a fantastic way to explore the estate, as the trail leads you through forest paths filled with wildlife between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask.
You get to have panoramic views of the lakes and the Connemara Mountains, and even the possibility of stumbling into a ruined castle.
Apart from trail rides, Ashford Equestrian Centre also provides bike hire, archery and clay pigeon shooting on site.
Opening Hours
Monday – Sunday – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission Fee
€70.00 per adult, €60 per child (under 16) for a 1-hour trail ride (maximum of 6 riders at one time)
€125.00 per adult, €95 per child (under 16) for a 2-hour trail ride (maximum of 6 riders at one time)
€165.00 per adult (two-person minimum)
Contact Information
Address: Cong Mayo Republic of Ireland
Phone: +353 94 9546507
Email: info@ashfordequestrian.com
7. Ashford Castle Estate
Ashford Castle Estate is situated next to the island village of Cong which is nestled between the great lakes of Lough Corrib and Lough Mask.
It was a former home of the Guinness family in the 19th Century.
The massive estate is home to underground rivers, caves, castles, towers, abbeys, and ringforts, as well as some of Irelands oldest species of wildlife, red squirrels and pine martens.
You could probably spend a whole day exploring it, as there’s a lot to see and do.
Admission Fee
€5 for adults and €3.50 for children,
Contact Information
Address : Cong, County Mayo, Ireland
Phone: +353 94 954 6003
Email: reservations@ashfordcastle.com
8. The Quiet Man Film Locations
One of the more interesting activities to do in Cong is to either join a walking tour of locations where ‘The Quiet Man’ was filmed, or explore it by yourself.
Considered as among the most famous among the locations of this classic film, Cong now hosts a museum dedicated to the movie.
Visitors can also take guided tours to the locations where some of the film’s notable scenes were shot, such as the Dying Man’s house; Pat Cohan’s Bar and the Reverend Playfair’s House.
9. Lettergesh Beach
This quiet beach is one of the settings for the classic film ‘The Quiet Man’ and also one of the best places to visit in Cong.
On a fine day, the water here is crystal clear and not too deep, making it an ideal place for a quiet stroll and a leisurely swim.
Lettergesh Beach also offers its visitors great views across the Mweelrea mountains in Mayo and on another side the mountains of Benchoona and Garraun.
The beach is quite remote, making it perfect relaxing.
Contact Information
Address: Market Street
Clifden, Connemara
Co Galway, Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)95 22785
Email:info@loveconnemara.com
10. Pigeonhole Cave, Cong
A popular destination for hikers is a cave that’s covered in bushes and ivy where the pigeons, for which it was named like to nest.
The Pigeonhole Cafe is found between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask just outside of Cong in the west of Ireland.
To reach the cave itself, you’ll have to ascend a steep flight of limestone steps that leads to the mouth of the cave.
The cave is over 12 feet wide, is nestled in a pine forest about 1.5km west of. From the abbey, you just have to take the signposted walking loop.
This cave, in a pine forest about 1.5km west of Cong, and can be reached via a signposted walking loop from the abbey.
Another thing to do aside from exploring the cave? Watch for the white trout of Conga mythical woman who turned into a fish to be with her drowned lover.
Opening Hours
Daily – 24 Hours
Contact Information
Address : Cong Mayo Republic of Ireland
Email: www.irishtrails.ie
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Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 60 countries for the past 12 years. I also lived in 4 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia, Africa and now in Europe. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.