Best things to do in Cong

Ireland's School of Falconry offers you the chance to fly a hawk around the spectacular grounds of Ashford Castle in a one hour private Hawk Walk. You will never forget the moment when your hawk first swoops down from a tree and lands back on your gloved fist! Flying a hawk is an experience of a lifetime.

Witness a piece of traditional culture when you visit Joyce Country Sheepdogs, a family-run and working hill sheep farm. Watch border collies expertly herd sheep while following verbal and whistled commands, just like in the movies. The family also sells border collie sheepdogs and puppies. As part of the tour, you'll see sheepdog demonstrations, a talk on hill sheep farming, sheep shearing demonstrations, and maybe get the chance to visit the puppies.

Get to know some of the rural traditions of Ireland at Killary Sheep Farm, a site with about 200 ewe and lambs. The owner, known for being friendly and knowledgeable, will greet you upon arrival and provide wet weather gear if needed. You will get to witness a skilled sheepdog demonstration, a sheep shearing demonstration using hand shears, and a turf cutting demonstration using slean. At the end of the tour, top it all off by feeding adorable orphan lambs. Demonstrations are held at set times, so consider checking the schedule before going.

Glengowla Mines is a "show mine" dedicated to the lead and silver mining history of Glengowla and the Oughterard area.
Mining at Glengowla began in 1851, after a farmer discovered galena just under the soil surface. The first mine shaft was named after a Captain Paul. The mine was in operation until 1865, eventually measuring 40 metres deep and 200 feet wide. The main mining centred on silver and lead, though Connemara marble, gold, dolerite, quartz, and rare green and blue octahedral fluorite.
The site was opened as a heritage site by the owners of the land, Patrick and Keith Geoghegan. Glengowla Mines' site includes the remains of a 19th-century silver and lead mine, which has been restored to allow visitor access. There is also a heritage and visitor centre, a blacksmith's shop, and a circular powder house.
Glengowla is part of Ireland’s National Seismic Network, logging real-time information with a seismograph, contributing to information of earthquakes worldwide.

Ashford Castle is a medieval and Victorian castle that has been expanded over the centuries and turned into a five star luxury hotel near Cong on the Mayo-Galway border, on the Galway side of Lough Corrib in Ireland. It is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World organisation and was previously owned by the Guinness family.

Hear great stories in an intimate atmosphere at Aughnanure Castle. The 16th-century fortress was originally built and owned by a famous lord family, the O'Flahertys, until it was captured by the region's president. The family eventually regained its ancestral home, only to lose it again. Today it is a state-run facility. At the entrance you'll receive an informational brochure to help you on your self-guided tour. Look for the plaques throughout the castle to discover interesting facts and stories about its old inhabitants. You won't be overrun with crowds in this secluded attraction.