Historic abbey containing some of Ireland’s finest masonry

Cong Abbey was founded in 1135 by King Turlough O’Connor. It has been attacked and rebuilt on numerous occasions and over the years served as a hideout for the O’Connors, a hospital for the sick, and a shelter for the destitute. It had a population of up to 3000 Cenobitic monks who would have studied subjects such as history, poetry, music, sculpture, and the illumination of books. They would also have been skilled in metalwork, engraving, and harp making. You can still see excellent examples of stonemasonry including Gothic windows, Romanesque doors, and floral capitals.