The Guinness Tower (1864) — Attraction in County Galway

If you are looking for a unique and hidden gem in Galway you might want to check out the Guinness Tower, also known as Leonard's Tower. This impressive structure was built by Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness on the grounds of Ashford Castle in 1864 and stands over 20 metres in height. It is located in a secluded woodland area near Cong village in County Mayo, surrounded by tall trees and lush vegetation. Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness was a prominent Irish businessman, politician and philanthropist who inherited the Guinness Brewery from his father Arthur Guinness Il. He was also interested in architecture and heritage preservation, and he bought Ashford Castle in 1852 as a country residence. He renovated and expanded the castle, adding new wings, towers and gardens. He also acquired large tracts of land around the castle, including the Cong Forest. One of his projects was to build a tower on a hill overlooking the forest and the castle. He named it Leonard's Tower after his grandson, who died at a young age. The tower was designed in a Gothic Revival style, with a crenellated parapet, lancet windows and a spiral staircase. It was intended as a folly, a decorative structure that served no practical purpose but added to the aesthetic appeal of the landscape. The tower was completed in 1864, but Sir Benjamin did not live to see it. He died in London that same year, leaving his estate to his son Arthur Edward Guinness, who later became the first Baron Ardilaun. The tower remained in the Guinness family until 1939, when Ashford Castle was sold to the Irish government. The castle was later converted into a luxury hotel, while the tower and the forest became part of the Cong Abbey Trust, a charitable organisation that manages the heritage and natural resources of the area. The Guinness Tower is not open to the public, but visitors can access it through a short walk from Ashford Castle or Cong village. The walk is about 1.7 miles long and takes about 40 minutes to complete. It is an easy route that follows well-maintained trails through the beautiful Cong Forest. The forest is home to a variety of trees, plants and wildlife, including oak, beech, ash, holly, ferns, mosses, lichens, fungi, deer, squirrels, foxes and birds. The tower itself is hidden by the trees until you reach its base. It is a striking sight that contrasts with the natural surroundings. The tower has four floors and a roof terrace that offers panoramic views over the forest, the castle and the nearby Lough Corrib. To reach the top, you have to climb 85 steep steps on a narrow spiral staircase. The staircase is dark and damp, so if you are lucky to find the tower open, be careful and bring a torch if you can. The tower is not only a visual attraction but also a historical one. It is a reminder of the legacy of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness and his family, who contributed to the development and preservation of Cong and its surroundings. It is also a symbol of the Gothic Revival movement that influenced many buildings in Ireland and Britain in the 19th century. The tower has been featured in several books and films, such as The Quiet Man (1952), which was partly...

Definitive How To Get There Guide: Very important, you cannot access by walking past Ashford Castle Hotel, private grounds. Starting at Cong Abbey, walk alongside the river to the back of the Abbey, towards Monk's Fishing House. There is a helpful map here. Cross the footbridge at What3Words championship.undertakes.spoiled and walk past the Stone Grotto. Follow the blue trail clockwise, untill you reach W3W toothpick.flags.enzyme, where the trail turns right up some steps. Continue forward instead, then keep left at the fork in the path, at W3W casseroles.chivalry.sped. The tower then appears on your right. It is well worth a visit, set in a beautiful and peaceful woodland. The view of the tree canopies from the top makes you feel like a little bird amongst the branches, be aware of 100+ stone and potentially slippy steps. A highlight of our...

The Guinness Tower was built in 1864 by Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, situated on the property of Ashford Castle. Standing over 20 meters tall. When it was built it, the tower would have provided an impressive view of the Ashford Castle grounds and the surrounding area.

Today you are able to take a short walk to the Guinness Tower to climb up its spiral staircase where you can find after a few stories of climbing, there is a room with windows to see out, and one more story up you can go to the top of the tower, which is secured around the edges with a fence.

The top of the tower will present you with a view of the surrounding tree tops which stand at an impressive height. Although you aren’t able to view Ashford Castle and the surrounding area due to the trees which grew very tall, it’s a peaceful setting at within...