The picturesque ruins of the Monk's Fishing House, at Cong, County Mayo, was built sometime between the 15th and 16th centuries and, as the name suggests, was used by the monks of Cong Abbey for fishing.

This small house is built right on the river, on a platform of stones. There is a trapdoor in the floor leading to the flowing river beneath, where the monks would use a net to catch the fish. Not only were the monks sheltered from the everchanging weather, but the remains of a fireplace shows that the monks were also kept warm while they fished. It is thought that there was a line strung from the fishing house to a bell in the kitchen of the abbey. With a tug on the line, the cooks would know there would be fish for supper.

To get to the Monk’s Fishing House, walk past the abbey ruins and head through the woods towards the river.