Major city · Ireland
CongConga
Give Cong one night, two at most: the abbey, the Quiet Man museum and a walk take half a day, and Ashford Castle is the reason to stay.
Cong is a small village of about 150 people on the isthmus between Lough Mask and Lough Corrib, in County Mayo. It has a ruined Augustinian abbey, a museum devoted to The Quiet Man (much of the 1952 film was shot here) and Ashford Castle, now a five-star hotel. The village itself is a two-hour walk; the surrounding lakes, caves and stone circles fill a full day. Most visitors come as a day trip from Galway or Westport, or stay one night to see the village after the coaches leave.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (wet, many places closed)
- Airports
- NOC · DUB
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cong112 ▾
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard112999
- Ashford Castle+353 94 954 6003
- O'Meara taxi, Clonbur+353 87 260 4352
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cong, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyCong is a small, quiet village and feels safe day and night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 or 999 police, ambulance, fire, coast guard · +353 94 954 6003 Ashford Castle · +353 87 260 4352 O'Meara taxi, Clonbur (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckNOC Ireland West Airport Knock (About 1 h by car; buses to Cong are limited, check connections.).
- Getting aroundCong is walkable: the abbey, the museum and the pubs are within 5 minutes of each other, and Ashford Castle is a 1 km (0.6 mi) walk.Cong is walkable: the abbey, the museum and the pubs are within 5 minutes of each other, and Ashford Castle is a 0.6 mi (1 km) walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course€15–25 (≈ US$18–30)
- Street or quick mealPub soup and sandwich€10–15 (≈ US$12–18)
- BeerPint of stout€5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, Cong to Clonbur€12–18 (≈ US$14–25)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
- Museum or sight ticketQuiet Man Museum entry€5 (≈ US$6) adult, €3 (≈ US$4) child
- Budget bedHostel or camping bed, a night, per person€25 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €250 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NOC Ireland West Airport Knock (About 1 h by car; buses to Cong are limited, check connections.) · DUB Dublin Airport (About 3 h by car; bus and rail via Galway or Castlebar.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jun (13). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cong: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
18 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
15 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
16 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
14 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
13 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
15 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
16 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
15 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
18 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
18 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
18 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Cong is walkable: the abbey, the museum and the pubs are within 5 minutes of each other, and Ashford Castle is a 1 km walk. Clonbur is 6 km west. Without a car you are dependent on the Bus Éireann 422 (three times a day) and local taxis; the caves, stone circles and Mount Gable need a car or a taxi.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Clonbur and Mount Gable
goDoor to door: About 2–3 h
Car or taxi 6 km (3.7 mi) west, then a walk from the car park 2 km (1.2 mi) west of ClonburCar or taxi 3.7 mi (6 km) west, then a walk from the car park 1.2 mi (2 km) west of Clonbur
Mount Gable is 417 m; Lough Coolin at its foot has the cottages of an abandoned village.
Ballinrobe
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Car on the N84, about 15 km (9.3 mi)Car on the N84, about 9.3 mi (15 km)
Race meetings April–September; check the fixture list.
Westport
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Car via the N84 and N5, about 45 km (28 mi)Car via the N84 and N5, about 28 mi (45 km)
A full day: the town, Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick.
Galway
goDoor to door: About 1 h by car
Car via Headford, about 45 km (28 mi); or Bus Éireann 422 to Headford then Burkes BusCar via Headford, about 28 mi (45 km); or Bus Éireann 422 to Headford then Burkes Bus
The bus connection is slow and infrequent; check times.
Knock
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via Ballinrobe and the N17, about 55 km (34 mi)Car via Ballinrobe and the N17, about 34 mi (55 km)
A shrine and pilgrimage site; little else in the village.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Cong village centre
Pubs, B&Bs and the abbey within a 5-minute walk; best for one night without a car.
Quay Road (by the camping park)
Camping, glamping and B&Bs about 1 km (0.6 mi) from the village; quieter, near the lake shore.Camping, glamping and B&Bs about 0.6 mi (1 km) from the village; quieter, near the lake shore.
Ashford Castle estate
The castle and its mid-range annexe, about 1 km (0.6 mi) from the village; the reason many people come.The castle and its mid-range annexe, about 0.6 mi (1 km) from the village; the reason many people come.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B double room1 × 1 night × €130 | €130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €110 | €220 |
| Bus Éireann 422, Castlebar to Cong, one way2 × €8 | €16 |
| Quiet Man Museum entry2 × €5 | €10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €41 |
| Trip total≈ €224 per person per day, bed included | €447≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub soup and sandwich | €10–15 (≈ US$12–18) |
| Pub main course | €15–25 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Pint of stout | €5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Quiet Man Museum entry | €5 (≈ US$6) adult, €3 (≈ US$4) child |
| Tent or caravan pitch | €30 (≈ US$35); glamping €38 (≈ US$45) |
| Taxi, Cong to Clonbur | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus Éireann 422 runs only about three times a day; check the timetable before you rely on it.
- No buses reach Clonbur: you need a car or a taxi.
- Ballykine Castle is a ruin and unsafe to enter.
- The caves in the area flood; do not enter without a trained, equipped guide.
- Many places close or cut hours from November to February.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard
- 112 or 999
- Ashford Castle
- +353 94 954 6003
- O'Meara taxi, Clonbur
- +353 87 260 4352
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CongConga
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard112 or 999
- Ashford Castle+353 94 954 6003
- O'Meara taxi, Clonbur+353 87 260 4352
Embassy
No embassies in Cong; the US Embassy is in Dublin, and most countries have embassies or consulates in Dublin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Éireann 422, Castlebar to Cong: about €8 (≈ US$10), 50 min
- Taxi Cong to Clonbur: €12–18 (≈ US$14–25)
- Quiet Man Museum: €5 (≈ US$6) adult, €3 (≈ US$4) child, Apr–Oct 10:00–16:00€5 (≈ US$6) adult, €3 (≈ US$4) child, Apr–Oct 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Say or show
- Dia duit — Hello (jeea gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
- Cá bhfuil an leithreas? — Where is the toilet? (kaw will un leh-rass)
- Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
- Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-cha)
English is spoken everywhere; Irish is the first official language but is not needed to get by.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cong. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (wet, many places closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for NOC and DUB: bus and rail connections field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: village centre, Quay Road and the camping park, Ashford Castle estate, Clonbur.
- Place pages with verified hours (Quiet Man Museum, Cong Abbey, Glebe Stone Circles, Pigeon Hole Cave) and eat pages with last orders.
- Hostile arrival fixtures (late 422, no taxi) so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialCong village official site
- officialBus Éireann
- officialQuiet Man Museum
- officialAshford Castle
- secondaryWikivoyage: Cong, revision 5214592 (CC BY-SA 4.0)