23 March, 2016

Cong Abbey

Cong Abbey is a historic site located at Cong, on the borders of counties Galway and Mayo.  The ruins of the former Augustinian abbey mostly date to the 13th century and have been described as featuring some of finest examples of medieval ecclesiastical architecture in Ireland.


The Graveyard on the Abbey grounds.


The remains of a monk's fishing house built around the 15th or 16th century.  The house is built on a platform of stones over a small arch which allows the river to flow underneath the floor. There is a trapdoor in the floor in which the fish may have been kept fresh. According to local tradition, a line was connected from the fishing house to the monastery kitchen to alert the cook to fresh fish.


Closeup of stone carving of Rory O’Connor, Ireland's last High King.  This carving sits on a doorway that leads in to the Cong Abbey.


Info courtesy of Wikipedia

9 comments:

  1. What a treat to visit such a historical spot Bill. Fascinating to see the remains of the monks fishing house, I can just see the monks up in the abbey getting all excited with each fresh catch!

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  2. What a treat to visit such a historical spot Bill. Fascinating to see the remains of the monks fishing house, I can just see the monks up in the abbey getting all excited with each fresh catch!

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  3. wow! it must be amazing to see this in person! love that old graveyard!

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  4. If walls could talk... what a marvelous place to visit!

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  5. These are beautiful photos of a magic place; this is how I always think of Ireland, even though the country was the epitome of greenness when I was there.

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  6. These are beautiful photos of a magic place; this is how I always think of Ireland, even though the country was the epitome of greenness when I was there.

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  7. I like the ruins, but the last High King looking like a stone sentinel. Greetings from Bergen. Have a nice Easter time Bill.

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  8. The weather suits the overall look of this place.

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