An Irish Village With Thatched Cottages Offers Horseback Rides Along Serene Lakes

A Hollywood production comes to a small village in Ireland. This is the setting and main plot for Marie Jones' award-winning 1996 play, "Stones in His Pockets". The play is written for two men who switch between multiple different characters. One of those characters, Mickey, is one of the last surviving extras from "The Quiet Man." This legendary movie was filmed almost exclusively in Cong, a town straddling the border of County Mayo and County Galway. Despite being a fictional character, Mickey, as an extra in this classic movie, would have been walking among the thatched cottages and serene lakes of Cong. And so can you! 

Set along the shores of beautiful Lough Corrib, Cong is about as scenic as possible in western Ireland. Shining green fields combine with streams, castles, abbeys, and thatched cottages to create a picturesque village that defines the rural Irish character. It's a fantastic place to come if you're a movie lover, are looking for a quiet, but luxurious getaway, and want to experience pure Irish countryside on horseback.

Only 50 minutes north of Galway and 1.5 hours north of Shannon International Airport, Cong is an excellent place to visit whether you make it a side trip on your drive up the beautiful Wild Atlantic Way, or are planning on staying there for the length of your journey. Either way, it's a wonderful town that will fill you with its charms the moment you arrive.

Whether you're looking to have an equestrian holiday or just fancy riding a horse for an afternoon, there might be no better place in all of Ireland than Ashford Castle in Cong. Originally built in the 12th century for the High King of Ireland, Ashford Castle has transformed into a grand estate and hotel, offering unique luxury experiences for guests from all over the world. The guest list includes famous names including "Quiet Man" stars Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne, King George V of England, and legendary writer Oscar Wilde.

While the castle itself is a wonderful place to visit if you love history and luxury, one of the best things Ashford offers is horseback riding. The Ashford Equestrian Centre was founded in 1986 and offers guests and visitors alike the chance to experience the grounds on horseback. You could take lessons or guided tours along the 350-acre estate and adjoining 3,000 acres of forest. Walk, trot, or canter your way through woods, past the shores of Lough Corrib, and learn about the property's amazing history.

Larger horses are available for bigger kids, teenagers, and adult riders, while smaller ponies are available for younger riders to tag along on the adventure. The property offers rides by the hour at a reasonable price. So, even if you're not staying at the castle, there are ways you can enjoy your visit.

If you're looking for a location to add to your perfect Irish travel itinerary and want to avoid the more built-up places like Killarney, then Cong is the place for you. Outside the grounds of Ashford Castle, Cong village is a small collection of streets lined with stone cottages and shops (several of which still have thatched roofs). You can visit several filming locations from "The Quiet Man" here, including the famous Pat Cohan Bar, where you can order yourself a Guinness and a fine meal. "The Quiet Man" Museum also houses artifacts and exhibits about the movie, and the famous John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara statue can be found at the corner of Cong and Abbey Streets.

While the town itself is impressive, the real draw of Cong is its outdoors. Cong Wood comes with two nature trails and plenty of sites to visit. Some famous locations include the Monk's Fishing House on the River Cong, the ancient Guinness Tower, and several caves that are littered throughout. If you prefer seeing Cong from the water, Corrib Cruises takes you on a leisurely boat ride along the Cong River and out into beautiful Lough Corrib.

Or, you could simply go for a stroll through the village and stop at the little book stores, antique shops, cafes, and restaurants the village has to offer. When it comes to a pure Irish experience, there is nowhere better than Cong.