Pigeon Hole Cave
Pigeon Hole Cave
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
29 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
8
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Diamondshaha
Galway, Ireland76 contributions
Dec 2021 • Solo
This is currently closed off but there’s a sizeable hole in the fence to access it if you’re up to the job. The steps were leaf and mud ridden but I spent some time today cleaning a pathway down. Well worth the decent. The current was strong today, feels magical down there. Didn’t spot the white trout today.
Written 19 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kasejason
Chicago, IL357 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
I have been to Mayo many times before but never knew of this cave until I stumbled upon this listing on tripadvisor. I am very happy that I did, as the trip to the cave held so much more than just cave exploration.
To reach this cave, your best bet is to park in Cong near the Cong Abbey. Walk through the abbey grounds and find the Monk's Fishing House. There is a bridge just across the river from the fishing house. If you walk across this bridge you will find yourself at the start of several forest trails. To reach Pigeon Hole Cave, you must follow the Pigeon Hole Cave Loop. All of the junctions along the way are clearly marked, and the hike will take you through a nice forest.
Along the way, you will pass through a tunnel and a different small cave. Once you arrive at Pigeon Hole Cave, you will encounter some stairs. Follow these down into the darkness and you will find yourself in the cave. If you have a flashlight (torch), you can explore about 150 feet of the cave before you will come to a rockfall that will prevent further travel. The walking in the cave is not easy, and you will have to climb over several large boulders along the way. These boulders are often wet and the footing is a bit treacherous.
Even though the cave is short, you will want to have some cave experience before trying this route. A fall from the boulders would at best leave you wet, but could easily kill you. We only had handheld lights, and this made travel a bit difficult. It would have been much better if we had had headlamps. There isn't a whole lot to see in the back of the cave that you can't see at the entrance, so the risk of traveling into the cave is likely not worth it. If you are like me and enjoy exploring caves, then this will at least give you an opportunity to do some very light caving in an area that doesn't have a lot of other caves.
Once you're done with the Pigeon Hole Cave, you can continue the loop. It will take you past a ruin called the Priest's House, several awesome trees, Guinness Tower, and a final small cave that was blocked off during our visit. All in all, the loop took us about 2 and a half hours. I highly recommend that you walk in a counterclockwise fashion, as the Guinness Tower is probably the best part of the trip. If you have time at the end of the hike, you can easily head over to Ashford Castle for some additional sightseeing.
If you do intend to visit, make sure to check out the map included with this tripadvisor listing (it can be found via the "website" link.) There is no fee for parking or for hiking the loop, so this makes for a nice and cheap outing.
To reach this cave, your best bet is to park in Cong near the Cong Abbey. Walk through the abbey grounds and find the Monk's Fishing House. There is a bridge just across the river from the fishing house. If you walk across this bridge you will find yourself at the start of several forest trails. To reach Pigeon Hole Cave, you must follow the Pigeon Hole Cave Loop. All of the junctions along the way are clearly marked, and the hike will take you through a nice forest.
Along the way, you will pass through a tunnel and a different small cave. Once you arrive at Pigeon Hole Cave, you will encounter some stairs. Follow these down into the darkness and you will find yourself in the cave. If you have a flashlight (torch), you can explore about 150 feet of the cave before you will come to a rockfall that will prevent further travel. The walking in the cave is not easy, and you will have to climb over several large boulders along the way. These boulders are often wet and the footing is a bit treacherous.
Even though the cave is short, you will want to have some cave experience before trying this route. A fall from the boulders would at best leave you wet, but could easily kill you. We only had handheld lights, and this made travel a bit difficult. It would have been much better if we had had headlamps. There isn't a whole lot to see in the back of the cave that you can't see at the entrance, so the risk of traveling into the cave is likely not worth it. If you are like me and enjoy exploring caves, then this will at least give you an opportunity to do some very light caving in an area that doesn't have a lot of other caves.
Once you're done with the Pigeon Hole Cave, you can continue the loop. It will take you past a ruin called the Priest's House, several awesome trees, Guinness Tower, and a final small cave that was blocked off during our visit. All in all, the loop took us about 2 and a half hours. I highly recommend that you walk in a counterclockwise fashion, as the Guinness Tower is probably the best part of the trip. If you have time at the end of the hike, you can easily head over to Ashford Castle for some additional sightseeing.
If you do intend to visit, make sure to check out the map included with this tripadvisor listing (it can be found via the "website" link.) There is no fee for parking or for hiking the loop, so this makes for a nice and cheap outing.
Written 30 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deirdre B
21 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
in the lovely quiet woods here is a geological feature formed by an underground river that flows through the limestone. the steps are a bit slippy but there is a rail to hold on to, it feels like a place formed by magic and there is a lovely story attached about star crossed lovers who are reunited in the cave. when you are down there you would believe its all true
Written 20 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seamus H
Killybegs, Ireland75 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
There a trail just off Main St. in Cong, you walk down the trail a bit and you come upon the Cave, There's steps to go down to get into the cave, their easy to manage, not a hugh cave but still interesting.
Written 22 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wexford-Men
County Galway, Ireland223 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
The Pigeon Hole cave is situated 3km to the west of Cong on the Clonbur road. There are 61 steps down to a small stream. Eerie feeling in the cave. Wonderful for kids. Apparently lots of pigeons gathered here in times past, thus the name.
Written 15 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul C
Ireland33 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
A lovely walk, not challenging at all, in the shade of the trees. The cave it self is down a few dozen steps and easily accessible for all, though the steps are slippery.
Written 5 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brock5687
Santa Clarita, CA19 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
This is a 1.5 hour round trip walk from Ashford Castle (or the small village of Cong) called the Pigeon Hole Loop. It is through a beautiful forest, and well marked. Don't miss it!
Written 26 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alicja T
Galway, Ireland8 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
Dark, quiet, shows very well, how powerful nature is. Stairs are very slippy, so be careful and wear proper footware.
Written 28 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeroenireland
Westport, Ireland23 contributions
Jan 2016 • Family
The Pigeon Hole Loop walk takes you by a few cool places that will keep kids well entertained and excited during this 1 hr wlk (~4km). see the link for a map of the trail. Start by going through the Abbey. There are a few caves some with bats so bring a flashlight. Don't miss the Guinness Tower, a standalone single Rapunzel like tower just off the trail so bring the map. You can climb to the top. Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness bought the local Ashford castle around 1850 and planted many exotic trees and plants such as Sequoia, Monterey pine, massive Redwoods and Douglas fir. Great and healthy day out.
Written 25 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annie H
15 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
This is a really cool cave in the middle of a walking trail. The steps are steep, so you would definitely want to watch your step.
Written 29 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A Tripadvisor member
your hours your open in march and your website to book a visit. thank you
Written 12 September 2016
its always open and free to walk through the forest, really magical
Written 13 September 2016
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