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Ireland

Mayo

Cong Abbey, Pigeon Hole and Ashford Castle loop — County Mayo

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Ireland

Mayo

Cong Abbey, Pigeon Hole and Ashford Castle loop — County Mayo

Moderate

4.4

(47)

158

hikers

Cong Abbey, Pigeon Hole and Ashford Castle loop — County Mayo

02:18

8.82km

60m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 9, 2024

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

124 m

Cong Abbey

Highlight • Historical Site

Cong Abbey is a beautiful, ancient 13th-century ruined monastery. Here you feel transported back a few centuries and can imagine how the monks lived in the Middle Ages. Benjamin Guinness was probably the last person to restore the complex in the mid-19th century – since then nature (and tourists) have been reclaiming it.

Entry is free. Parking is available directly at the Abbey.

megalithicireland.com/Cong%20Abbey,%20Mayo.html

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298 m

Monks' Fishing House on the River Cong

Highlight • Historical Site

The house on the Cong River was once used by the monks for fishing. There is a hole in the bottom through which the net was lowered and where it got stuck. When enough fish were caught in the net, a bell tied to the net with a string rang and the cook came down from the monastery to the river to collect the fish. Pretty imaginative!

Incidentally, the small bridge behind the abbey also gives free access to the grounds of Ashford Castle.

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635 m

Cong Woods

Highlight • Forest

In Cong Wood you can run various trails. Everything very well signposted. On a Monday in April you are on your own here. In between, there are nice places to relax.

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1.78 km

Pigeon Hole Cave

Highlight • Cave

The cave is in the forest on a small hill. There are stairs down that we couldn't climb as a rappelling course was going on. It's definitely worth looking down.

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8.03 km

Ashford Castle

Highlight • Castle

Ashford Castle, a stunning medieval castle on the shores of Lough Corrib near the town of Cong in County Mayo, is one of Ireland's most magnificent and historic buildings. Originally built in the 13th century by a noble Anglo-Norman family, the castle has a long and fascinating history spanning several centuries.

In the 19th century, Ashford Castle was purchased and both restored and expanded by Benjamin Guinness, a member of the famous brewing family. His son, Arthur Guinness, 1st Baron Ardilaun, was responsible for creating the extensive gardens and forests, which are now decorated with exotic plants from all over the world. Since 1939, the castle has served as one of Ireland's most exclusive 5-star hotels, attracting guests from all over the world, including numerous celebrities and royalty.

Visiting Ashford Castle is not only a trip back in time, but also an opportunity to experience the luxurious amenities and exceptional service of one of the world's leading hotels. The magnificent gardens and picturesque lake provide ample opportunities for walking and exploring in some of Ireland's most beautiful scenery.

Access to the grounds of Ashford Castle is normally reserved for hotel guests, but there are routes to allow viewing, such as the footbridge at Monk's Fishing House behind the abbey, which offers free entry. However, visitors should inform themselves in advance about the current access conditions and possible restrictions.

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8.63 km

St. Mary's Church (Church of Ireland), Cong

Highlight • Religious Site

Small old church near Ashford Castle in Cong.

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8.82 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.24 km

1.59 km

1.04 km

813 m

131 m

Surfaces

2.86 km

2.35 km

1.53 km

1.44 km

606 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Friday 10 July

22°C

13°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

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Comments

July 16, 2023,Cong Abbey – Monk's Fishing House loop from Cong

Nice area to walk and easy trail, mostly flat. Trail is in good shape, even though we had a lot of rain last week, it was not really muddy. If you plan a picnic, do it at the shores of the Corrib Lake, there is also a sheltered sitting area. Gates closed at some of the paths that go into …

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Cong Abbey, Pigeon Hole and Ashford Castle loop — County Mayo

Cong Abbey

Monks' Fishing House on the River Cong

Cong Woods

Pigeon Hole Cave

Ashford Castle

St. Mary's Church (Church of Ireland), Cong

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