Concello do Irixo

Concello do Irixo is a small municipality in the province of Ourense, part of the O Ribeiro area in Galicia, home to roughly 1,600 people whose livelihoods have long depended on livestock farming and forestry. The territory sits between two mountain ranges, the Montes do Testeiro, topped by the 1,003-metre Uceiro peak, and the Serra do Faro, rising to 935 metres at Pico Seco, which mark the boundary between the provinces of Ourense and Pontevedra. Rivers, old mills, and stone granaries are scattered across the valleys these ranges enclose, giving the countryside its quiet, rural character.

What can you see in O Irixo?

The municipality holds a dense cluster of religious and archaeological sites spread across its parishes, making it a destination best explored slowly, village by village.

Churches and chapels

The oldest religious building is the church of Santo Estevo de Cangués, dating back to the 13th century. Other notable churches include Santa María do Campo, Santiago de Corneda, and San Xoán de Froufe in Reádegos. The church of San Pedro de Espiñeira stands out separately: an 18th-century single-nave building housing a collection of Baroque and Neoclassical religious statuary.

Traces of earlier settlers

Three castros — fortified pre-Roman hillforts — survive within the municipality, in Corneda, Orros, and Souteliño, forming part of the so-called Ruta dos Castros, a route winding through green valleys past watermills and granite granaries. In the parish of San Cosme de Cusanca stands a menhir believed to date from the megalithic period, one of the few surviving markers of such early human presence in the area.

A medieval bridge and traditional granaries

O Irixo also preserves a medieval stone bridge over the Viñao river, supported by two arches of unequal size. Nearby construction work in 2001 caused the structure to shift slightly, though it retains its historical character. In the parish of Paredes, a cluster of finely worked granite hórreos — traditional Galician raised granaries — reflects the local availability of quarried stone.

Best time to visit

August brings a traditional Galician "curro" near Parada de Labiote, a gathering and marking of free-roaming horses that ranks among the region's most distinctive cultural events. Throughout the year, the municipality also holds local patron saint festivities, including celebrations linked to Carmen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is O Irixo located? The municipality lies in the province of Ourense, within the O Ribeiro area, in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain.

What are the main historic sites in the municipality? Highlights include the 13th-century church of Santo Estevo de Cangués, the richly decorated church of San Pedro de Espiñeira, a medieval bridge over the Viñao river, and the castros of Corneda, Orros, and Souteliño.

What is a "curro" and when does it take place? A curro is a traditional Galician event in which free-roaming horses are gathered and marked. In O Irixo it is held in August near Parada de Labiote.

Are there any prehistoric remains in the area? Yes — a megalithic-era menhir stands in the parish of San Cosme de Cusanca, and several castros, remnants of pre-Roman fortified settlements, are found across the municipality.