Monk’s Fishing House — Attraction in County Mayo

Monk's Fishing House is a small stone structure built in the 12th and 13th centuries by the Augustinian monks of Cong Abbey. It stands on a small island or platform directly in the River Cong, which connects Lough Corrib and Lough Mask. The house was used for fishing: the monks caught salmon and eels without leaving the house, thanks to its unique design. • How it worked: There's a hole in the floor of the house through which the monks lowered a net into the river. The fish would fall into the net and be lifted directly inside. Next to the hole was a fireplace where the monks could cook their catch immediately. Legend has it that a bell in the abbey would ring when a fish was caught in the net, signaling the monks. • Architecture: A simple stone structure with a conical roof (restored in the 19th and 20th centuries). Its dimensions are modest – about 3x3 meters. The interior is minimalist but atmospheric, with views of the river through...

Unique and Magical 14th century Monk's Fishing House Family Whilst in Cong Abbey gardens towards the rivers edge you should cross and pass through the archway on the first small Abbey bridge bearing the sculptured head of Patrick Prendergast, the last Abbot of Cong you will find as the path veers to the left, the unique and famous Monk's Fishing House of Cong.

You you must carefully cross a small stone bridge to stand in this 14 century stone cottage in the middle of Cong river. It is built on a stone platform which there is a channel for the river to flow through. The monks had a clever way of catching fish from this house. A net was placed through a hole in the floor and in to the channel and a line connected the net with a bell. When a fish was netted the bell would ring letting them know of a catch. the fish would be kept in the net until required for cooking.

Take care of small kids when the...

Monk’s Fishing House at Cong Abbey, Ireland Touted as one of Ireland’s greatest examples of early gothic architecture, Cong Abbey is a glorious ruin. The remains of a 13th-century Augustinian abbey feature elaborately carved doorways, cloister arches, and long walls. The structure we see in our image is much smaller than the main ruins, but just as evocative: Not far from the abbey is the (now roofless) Monk's Fishing House, perched over the River Cong. Constructed as early as the 15th century, the house includes an arch built into its foundation, allowing the river to run below part of the floor. A trapdoor in the floor allowed monks to fish directly from the house.

It's said that a line was once strung between the Monk's Fishing House and Cong Abbey. When pulled, the line would ring a bell, alerting cooks in the abbey that dinner was freshly caught in the cleverly designed...