Ashford Castle, Cong, County Mayo, F31 CA48, Ireland
Ashford Castle became world-famous after John Ford filmed The Quiet Man in the neighbouring village of Cong in 1952. John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, and the crew stayed at the castle during filming, and the estate has been trading on the association ever since. The lush Irish landscapes of Ford's masterpiece have been inspiring movie fans to visit the Emerald Isle for eight decades — and the film duly picked up an Oscar for Best Colour Cinematography. Cong and Ashford Castle have become a pilgrimage site for John Wayne fans, and the estate is now one of Ireland's finest hotels.
" A pilgrimage site for John Wayne fans for eight decades.
A vast 800-year-old castle on the shores of Lough Corrib, Ashford has been turned into a five-star luxury hotel that has won the World's Best Hotel award multiple times. Alongside its George V dining room, the estate offers falconry, archery, a cinema, and a wine cellar. Cong itself is now an affluent town, tiny and walkable, with Quiet Man filming locations signposted throughout. Don't miss Pat Cohan's Pub, which doubled for the pub in the film and offers traditional Irish dishes with a twist alongside lots of Quiet Man memorabilia to gaze at while you eat.
Among the activities the estate offers, alongside archery, a cinema, and a wine cellar.
The castle's grand dining room, part of what makes it one of Ireland's finest hotels.
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