Cong

History

The 1111 Synod of Ráth Breasail included Cong (Cunga Féichin) among the five dioceses it approved for Connacht, but in 1152 the Synod of Kells excluded it from its list and assigned what would be its territory to the archdiocese of Tuam. No longer a residential bishopric, Cunga Féichin is today listed by the Catholic Church as a titular see. Cong was also the home of Anglo-Irish landlord Sir William Wilde, who was also a historian and father to prominent playwright, novelist, poet, and short story writer Oscar Wilde. "The Bard of the West", Micheál Mac Suibhne, who composed his poetry and songs in Connaught Irish, was born at Cong around the year 1760. He spent most of his life in Connemara and died in poverty in about the year 1820. Cong was the filming location for John Ford's 1952 Oscar-winning film, The Quiet Man, featuring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara and Barry Fitzgerald. Much of the film was filmed on the grounds of Ashford Castle. The town and castle area remain little changed since 1952, and Cong's connection with the movie make it a tourist attraction. (The film is still celebrated by the local "Quiet Man Fan Club"). Roman Catholic records for Cong do not survive from before 1870. Church of Ireland records from the 18th and 19th centuries have survived, however, and are held at the South Mayo Family Research Centre in nearby Ballinrobe.

Geography

Cong is on an island formed by a number of streams that surround it on all sides. Cong is on the isthmus connecting Loughs Corrib and Mask, near the towns of Headford and Ballinrobe and the villages of Clonbur, the Neale and Cross. Cong is known for its underground streams that connect Lough Corrib with Lough Mask to the north.

Most-observed species

• European Robin

  Erithacus rubecula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  403
• Eurasian Wren

  Troglodytes troglodytes (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  318
• Eurasian Blackbird

  Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  306
• Common Chaffinch

  Fringilla coelebs Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  295
• Western Jackdaw

  Coloeus monedula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  276
• Common Wood-Pigeon

  Columba palumbus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  261
• Mallard

  Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  259
• Hooded Crow

  Corvus cornix Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  237