28 Oct Cong , County Mayo
Nestling between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask , this picturesque village was one of the locations for the film The Quick Man. A dry canal , built during the famine to connect the two lakes , has become a local curiosity.
The village is on the site of a 6th century monastery , rebuilt as an Augustinian Abbey by King Turloch O’Connor early in the 12th century. At one stage 3000 people lived within its walls. The base of a medieval cross in the village street and some impressive monastic ruins are reminders of the Abbey. Ashford Castle , built for the Guinness family in 1870 but now a luxury hotel , is along the river behind the Abbey ruins.
Cong is a real hidden gem and a must see on your Ireland tours.