I am staying in Cong at Ashford Castle two nights but don't really have an idea of what to do (besides enjoy the beautiful grounds). I was wondering if anyone had done any cruises on Lough Corrib that they would recommend? Has anyone done the horseback riding or falconry offered at the Castle and loved/hated it?

I want to minimize driving while I'm there, but don't mind a short drive to a town to shop/sightsee. Any suggestions on fairly laidback activities to do while near Cong?

There is a cruise on Lough Corrib, from Cong to Inchagoill Island (unpopulated, some monastic remains, woodland). You can then go on to Oughterard on the south shore of the Lough or return from Inchagoill to Cong.

The Abbey in Cong is worth an hour or two.

If you buy ino the reverence in which "The Quiet Man" is held (I don't) then you can visit the Quiet Man cottage in the village.

With you Padraig re the Abbey. There is also a fine forested walk; redwoods etc. Deer too I remember...

As others said the Abbey is worth a little time and the walk in the forest. I would add that if you like to fish the lake at the castle has some gigantic salmon. I watched a man catch a very large salmon there and you might inquire about obtaining a permit to fish a little. Even if you don't catch much the setting is great and very worthwhile.

Larry J

Impressive though Ashford Castle is, I baulk at the implication that Lough Corrib is "the lake at the castle"; it's very much a matter of Ashford being the castle at the lake!

Lough Corrib is one of Ireland's best recreational fishing waters, noted more for trout than salmon, and yields some fine fish.

The abbey fish pond has the most pictureque fishing lodge ever. A tiny floating "house" where the monks would quietly fish through doorways.... Perfect place to escape to peace....

Padraig: Do you recall who runs the cruise? How many hours would it probably take? A cruise to Inchagoill sounds like just what I'm looking for. A lake cruise and visit to the abbey, I'm guessing should fill a day nicely.

(I like John Wayne but I'll probably skip the Quiet Man anything, I get enough of Hollywood at home)

Chloe, I believe this is what you are looking for: http://www.corribcruises.com/ There are various cruises available.

Chloe:

I enjoyed the cruise to Inchagoill when I was there last May. I departed and returned to Oughterard and Inchagoill is about the halfway point between the two.

If the weather is good (and it was spectacular when we were there), I think this a great way to spend a couple of hours. As I remember, it was slightly over 90 minutes and we spent 20 minutes or so on the island.

The other option is Connemara as you would be sitting on the doorstep of that. Perhaps that is already in your plans for another day.

Bill

Of course if I had read the last paragraph, I wouldn't have mentioned Connemara. Do the boat tour. It's lovely.

Bill

Bill: No worries about the Connemara I'll keep it in mind (ya never know!)

Its good to hear positive feedback on the cruise. I'm hoping we won't get rained on too much. I've been checking the forecast online...is there ever not a chance of rain there?!

As someone reliant on rainwater for domestic water supplies, May and September are often very dry months. Of course, the Irish never admit to this; "This is very unusual," they say. The day I went to Cong was a deluge, until about noon when the sun came out in full glory..

We were at Ashford Castle 2 weeks ago. The cruises on Lough Corrib don't start till June according to the T.I.C. Cong is VERY small- it took us about 20 mins to see the Abbey ruins and walk around the little village (everything was closed on a Sunday in May). We loved the scenery out on the road through Clonbur by Lough Mask. The Joyces Country drive is fantastic. You will LOVE Ashford Castle!