This page covers three adjoining villages, Cong, Cross and The Neale.
Starting with Cong (Cunga Feichin).
Cung means a narrow strip of land, and the village is situated on an isthmus of cavernous limestone between Lough Mask and Lough Corrib.
The Cong Canal, built during afive year period in the 1850s, was a failure,
primarily due to its inability to hold water. Now it is commonly known
as the 'Dry Canal' and is only used as a drainage channel; the water
level can vary between 6 inches and 12 feet depending on the time of
year (summer dry, winter full). The line was originally intended as a
route between Corrib and Mask, and is three miles in length.
Cong is the home of Ashford Castle, one of Ireland's finest hotels, converted from the medieval lakeside castle, and is a tourist attraction in its own right.
Cong was also the home of Sir William Wilde, historian and father of the
prominent playwright, novelist, poet, and short story writer, Oscar
Wilde.
A stroll through Cong and its hinterland is a microcosmic trip
through the history of Ireland and its people. No trace today remains of
Feichin's haven by the river but the tranquillity, clear water and
abundant supply of fish that tempted Feichin to settle in Cong are still
there to be savoured, enjoyed and appreciated some 1,400 years later.
Cross - (An Crois)
A great 'battle' took place between the Firbolgs and the Tuatha de Danann (ancient tribes of Ireland) on the great plain of Moytura in Cross. They played the first ever hurling match on those plains. The Firbolgs outshone that day, but the battle was won by the Tuatha de Danann. Ballymagibbon Cairn was erected to celebrate the battle.
From Christian times you can still see the ruins of St Fura's church at Ballymagibbon (7th Century). An interesting relic of this old ruin is now placed in the porch of Cross church. It is a carved stone having in relief the figure of a child.
