Day trips from The Lodge at Ashford Castle

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.

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.

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 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