cong abbey

Situated on the site of an earlier monastery founded in the 7th century, this is an Augustinian Abbey founded possibly in the 12th century, and now in the grounds of Ashford Castle. it probably replaces a church which was burnt in 1137. The present Abbey may have been built by Turlough O'Connor, King of Connacht, or else by one of the O'Duffys. Of the church itself comparatively little remains, and the fine Romanesque doorway was inserted into the north wall in modern times. This doorway contains some very fine sculpture. Like most of the rest of the building, it probably dates to around 1200, though the church was possibly built slightly later. The best feature is the cloister which was also erected in the 1220s but has been reconstructed.

Some of the capitals in the cloister were carved in the 19th century. Beside the cloister is a very fine transitional doorway of the same period; it led to the Chapter House, which also has some fine windows. The decorated stone work is exquisitely executed, and is probably the finest work of its type in the west of Ireland.