Monday 22 October 2012

Cong, County Mayo





















Cong (Irish: Conga) is a village on the borders of County Galway and County Mayo, in Ireland. Cong is situated on an island formed by a number of streams that surround it on all sides. With only 185 villagers Cong is known as  home to Oscar Wilde. Ashford Castle, one of Ireland's finest hotels, built by the Guinness family is also situated here. Outside the lovely streams that run through the village. Cong also has a ruined medieval abbey, Cong Abbey, where Rory O'Connor, the last High King of Ireland, is buried. His portrait is  carved on the doorway in Cong Abbey grounds .The Augustine Abby  was established in the 13th century mainly kept its medieval characteristics even after recent facelifts done by the Guinness family. The Abby grounds hold old mossy trees and a Monks' Fishing House and a nice path in the the woods perfect for autumn forest walks and picnic.
Cong was the filming location for John Ford's 1952 Oscar-winning film, The Quiet Man,featuring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara and Barry Fitzgerald. Much of the movie 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. There is a museum  with shop and a tour for fans. There is also an opportunity to have a holiday based on the film.I have to say that I am not that fond of the movie in the means of story but the scenes are breathtaking capturing the essential of that region.
We visited in October which is a lovely time of year in Ireland.The foliage turned  red, yellow and orange.I love these colors. The tour we done with Paddy Wagon was a CONNEMARA & GALWAY Day Tour From DUBLIN with stops at Cong, Spectacular Lough Corrib, Leenane and Killary fjord, Kylemore Abbey,The Inagh Valley  and Galway. I will return with some more posts on the other locations we have visited.

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