The ruins of the former Augustinian abbey mostly date to the 13th century and have been described as featuring some of finest examples of medieval ecclesiastical architecture in Ireland.

Within the next twenty years or so, Turlough Mor O’Connor, the High King of Ireland, refounded the abbey.

[3] In 1198, his son, Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair (Rory O'Connor), Ireland's last High King, constructed new buildings and also lived the last 15 years of his life at the abbey.

[2] The Annals of the Four Masters record that in 1150, Muireadhach Ua Dubhthaigh, Archbishop of Connacht, died at Cong aged 75.

[1] The remains of Cong Abbey have been praised as featuring some of the finest examples of early gothic architecture and masonry in Ireland.

[1] The present church, and possibly the fragmentary cloister where the monks worked and prayed, belong to the rebuilding of the early 13th century.