Location: Adjacent to Cong village near the Abbey grounds. The last of the High Kings of Ireland, Rory O'Connor, lived across the river in the old abbey for the final years of his life and reign. This area incorporates a place called the 'wilderness' traversed by a maze of roads, a substantial tower and huge stone walls. Cong and Ashford grounds are well known as the location for the film The Quiet Man. Facilities: Car parking is available at the grounds of the old abbey and the church. Pine seats are placed along the walk and fishing is plentiful along the Cong River which is famous for salmon and trout. The area is very peaceful with the silence broken only by bird song. There is an entry fee if entering through Ashford Castle grounds. Length of Trail: There are walks of almost 2km at Cong Wood. Habitat: The area is honeycombed with furloughs and subterranean streamlets with natural spawning beds for pike on the bays of Cong River which runs through this area. Lough Corrib lies close by. Main Tree Species: The wood has a wide variety of both deciduous and coniferous trees. Main species include Sitka and Norway spruces, Scots pine, silver fir, American redwoods, oak, beech, lime and ash, you will also find some Yew trees especially in the grounds of the Abbey at the start of the walk. Other Flora: Meadow sweet, horse's tail, bullrush, common reed, water lilies and dogweed periwinkle. Fauna: The area is famous for woodcock. Animals found in the locality include pine marten, red squirrel, fox, hare, rabbit, badger and stoat. Coot, moorhen, mallard and swan can be found on the river. Geology: Limestone with remnants of former quarrying holes where stone was cut for use in the construction of local castles.