Chapter 6: Inis Uí Chuinn to Inis A' Ghaill and Cunga Fheichín (Cong)

• Islands of Loch Coirib
  
• Shrule
  
• Ballycurrin House
  
• Inchagoill
  
• Inís mhic a'trír
  
• Cross Castle
  
• Ancient Churches of Cill Fraocháin
  
• Moytura
  
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We have passed the last navigation mark, and laid our course nearly due north towards the Cong river. From this point the mountain view presents one of its best aspects, and the shores of Mayo and Galway, sloping down to the water's edge, are in many places pleasingly wooded.Leaving Coad Island on the left, we get among a group of islets at the mouth of the river, the outermost of which, Oileán Rí, or "the king's island," was said to have been a favourite retreat of O'Conor, the last Irish monarch, while sojourning in the neighbouring abbey; and nearer the shore are Inis Cunga and Oileán Dara.

Now, dividing the waters of Mayo and Galway, we pass Ceann a'Doire "the head of the oakwood," and enter the principal streamway which conducts the aters of Loch Mask into Loch Coirib. Well sheltered, wooded on both sides, having Kinlough on the right, the demesne of Ashford on the left, and Strandhill, the sea of the Elwoods, in front, with the pretty spire of the parish church in the distance, it forms a picture of great beauty. The following illustration, taken from the eastern shore, represents the "Eglinton" passing under the demesne of Ashford, the noble seat of Sir B. L. Guinness, M.P., with its tower rising over the surrounding woods.

Our steamer has been warped around the little island, and brought to her berth alongside the quay. We leaver her for the present; and starting for "The Carlisle Arms," in the vollage about half a mile distant, may visit two of the natural caves for which this locality is celebrated -- The Lady's Buttery and the Horse Discovery, which both adjoin the road. Here, as we pass along by the canal referred to at page 3ced-p35 , we get a good view of the parish church, the Roman Catholic chapel, and the eastern gable and window of the abbey, which with the history and antiquities of this ancient locality, will be described in the next chapter.