Sunday 1st September ’24 was selected for our second social outing of the year. Thankfully the weather was very kind to us, and the sun shone through the clouds. We started off with a photoshoot with us alongside Hollywood star John Wayne. We all wanted to be picked up by this Hollywood legend, but another Hollywood legend Maureen O’Hara was already occupying pride of place in his arms. We left them both where we found them, beside the abbey in Cong Village. Everyone arrived on time and we proceeded through the abbey and grounds, where the last High King of Ireland, Rory O Connor lived for the final years of his life and reign. We then ventured over the beautiful Corrib River where we stopped to admire the Monk’s Fishing House. It was here that the monks from the abbey spent time in prayer and meditation and, at the same time, tried out their fishing skills. Angela Dempsey headed up the Walk through the forest of a great variety of trees including Silver Fir, Douglas fir, Sitka Spruce, Scots pine, Coast redwoods, giant sequoia, Monterey pine and many other coniferous and deciduous trees.
We passed “Teach Aille” cave which is reputed to have been used by the monks as a fridge due to its low temperatures in the Summer. “Pigeon Hole Cave” was next to be explored and as true adventurers we descended the stone steps into the bowels of the earth. The water flowing at the bottom is actually the waters of Lough Mask travelling underground towards Lough Corrib.
Angela, keeping an eye on the clock, while reminding us that “time and tide waits for no man,” beckoned us to the surface and off we went back through the forest and on to the exquisite grounds of Ashford Castle. There we were greeted at the bridge entrance to the castle by Patrick Luskin, our tour guide and skipper, with his boat the Isle of Inishfree.
All happily seated on top deck, we sailed out Lough Corrib in absolute awe at the beauty of the lake and its surroundings. With Ashford Castle to our backs, we headed on out to the historic Inchagoill Island.
The name is derived from “Inis an Ghaill Crabhthigh” meaning the Island of the devout foreigner. Dating back to the 5th century AD, the island served as a site for an early Christian religious settlement. Legend has it that the “Devout Foreigner” is none other than St. Patrick himself, who is said to have established one of the island’s two churches.
Alongside St. Patricks church is the 12th century Church of the Saints, and beside that again is the tomb of Muirgheas O’ Nioc, Archbishop of Tuam who died here in 1128.
Ann Bourke created a sensation when she felt “vibes” from the Stone of Lugnaedon, a 6th century standing stone which lies between both churches. Well, we all had to have a go, but unfortunately the stone was only connecting with Ann.
We then ambled about and visited the 6 cottages, now in ruins and beautifully situated by the water’s edge. Patrick, our skipper told us to take as long as we liked as long as it wasn’t any more than 5 minutes, so we returned to the boat and made our way home, and with Ashford Castle coming into view, Patrick related the history of the Castle and its owners.
With our bellies calling to us (absolutely roaring with hunger) we headed to Tí Búrca in Clonbur for dinner. They did not let us down, the meal was delicious, accompanied with live traditional music in the bar. We departed Tí Búrca with an air of satisfaction. The mix of history, nature, and camaraderie really shone through our day.
Another successful excursion for the Grainne Mhaol Dragon Boat Social Group!