River Cong (Ireland)

For the river in Norfolk, England, see River Cong (Norfolk).

The River Cong (Irish: Abhainn Chonga) is a river in Ireland. Rising in the village of Cong, County Mayo. It is the outflow from Lough Mask, further to the north, that escapes through huge fissures in the cavernous limestone of the district and rises again in the village of Cong. It is about one mile long. The river is some 100 yards wide in places, and divided by an island at one point. It pushes down strongly past Ashford Castle. The River Cong has a mean flow rate of 37.6 m³/s

The river is popular with fishermen having an excellent run of spring salmon. Fishing can start on opening day if the water is not too high. The peak of the spring run is in April and then the grilse come in May. June is particularly good, as is early July, and salmon are taken here in lesser numbers for the rest of the season. The river also holds excellent stocks of brown trout.

Cong Canal

In 1848 there was an attempt to link Lough Mask and Lough Corrib with a canal, running to the east of the river. The work continued during summer months for five years but was badly managed. Although all three miles of excavation and two of the three locks were completed the project was stopped in 1854. Swallow holes had been found in the limestone and these were later blamed for the abandonment by Sir William Wilde in his book about Lough Corrib, although the canal was never watered. Competition from the railways was probably a more important reason.