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Day trips from The Lodge at Ashford Castle

From ancient ruins right on our doorstep to historic manor houses and the spectacular Connemara National Park, we are fortunate to have some of Ireland’s finest sights within easy day-trip distance…

Monk's fishing house at Cong Abbey, County Mayo, Ireland

Cong Abbey

Also known as the Royal Abbey of Cong, is a historic site located at Cong Co. Mayo. The ruins of the former Augustinian abbey mostly date to the 13th century and have been described as featuring some of finest examples of medieval ecclesiastical architecture in Ireland.

The grounds of the abbey also contain a monks' fishing house, probably built in the 15th/16th century on an island in the River Cong leading towards nearby Lough Corrib. The house is built on a platform of stones over a small arch which allows the river to flow underneath the floor. There is a trapdoor in the floor in which the fish may have been kept fresh.

Galway City

The city’s hub is 18th-century Eyre Square, surrounded by shops and traditional pubs that offer live Irish folk music. Nearby, stone-clad cafes, boutiques and art galleries line the winding lanes of the Latin Quarter.

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Touristic area in Galway, Ireland. Galway will be European Capital of Culture

Connemara National Park

Situated in the West of Ireland in County Galway, Connemara National Park covers some 2,000 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands. Some of the Park’s mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famous Twelve Bens or Beanna Beola range. Connemara National Park was established and opened to the public in 1980.

Much of the present Park lands formed part of the Kylemore Abbey Estate and the Letterfrack Industrial School, the remainder having been owned by private individuals. The southern part of the Park was at one time owned by Richard (Humanity Dick) Martin who helped to form the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals during the early 19th century. The Park lands are now wholly owned by the State and managed solely for National Park purpose

Hiking on Diamond Hill in Connemara, west of Ireland

Diamond Hill

Diamond Hill is a two-hour loop walk in Connemara, this route follows gravel paths, wooden boardwalk and steps up the slopes of Diamond Hill itself. Strenuous but satisfying, the trail through Connemara National Park climbs up to Diamond Hill’s summit (400m) and showcases the breadth of Connemara’s coastline - including the idyllic islands of Inishturk, Inishbofin and Inishark and pretty Ballynakill Harbour. The sweeping views from the summit also stretch to the majestic Twelve Bens, Mweelrea and Tully Mountains.

A ruined fort in Inishmore, Aran Islands, Ireland

Aran Islands

The Aran Islands are 3 rocky isles guarding the mouth of Galway Bay, in western Ireland. They are known for their ancient sites. You can get to the Aran Islands by passenger ferry from Rossaveal which is about an hour west of Galway City. You cannot bring a car across on the ferry. Weather permitting; the ferries from Rossaveal go year-round.

Killary Fjord Harbour, Ireland

Killary Harbour & boat tours

Killary Harbour is a fjord located in the west of Ireland, in northern Connemara, and the border between counties Galway and Mayo runs down its centre. Killary Fjord Boat Tours Sail an 9-mile inlet and enjoy uninterrupted views of some of the finest scenery in the west of Ireland

A haven of adventure

Experience County Mayo

Immerse yourself in the activities of the Ashford Estate and create memories that last a lifetime.

Activities at The Lodge