Hello & welcome to Cnoc Suain. My name is Dearbhaill, a musician, teacher, and native Gaelic speaker from Connemara. My husband, Charlie, is a natural scientist and teacher from Dublin. The combined passion we share for the culture and nature of Connemara has been our inspiration throughout the restoration of this settlement. Described by one of Connemara’s leading archaeologists, Michael Gibbons, as a “mini national park”, Cnoc Suain’s landscape is laced with natural & built heritage, from quaking Atlantic bog pools to a 3,000-year-old standing stone at the top of our hill from which you can see breath-taking views of Galway Bay, Aran Islands, the Burren, and the Maam Turks mountains. It is also a great place for Birdwatching and stargazing. A small herd of Kerry Bog Ponies, a small, rare breed of pony native to Ireland, graze the land. Nestled into a secluded quarter of Cnoc Suain, our cottages which have been lovingly restored and reimagined with reclaimed timber, salvaged slates, local field stone and a renewable heating system, are immersed in the tranquil surrounds of this privately owned 200-acre nature sanctuary. We have received national and international recognition for our cultural programmes, environmental stewardship, and restoration work. Awards Cnoc Suain has won include a "Global Vision Award" from Travel Leisure magazine and a "World Ethical Travel Award" from The Guardian newspaper. After winning the Irish award for Cultural Heritage at the Irish Centre for Responsible Tourism Awards in Dublin in March 2015, Cnoc Suain later won a world award for Cultural Heritage at the World Responsible Tourism Awards in London in November 2015. In 2017, Cnoc Suain was judged as Ireland's "Best Cultural Experience" by the Irish Tourism Industry Awards. We can happily recommend places, events, activities, and experiences that bring you to the heart of the culture of the area. We look forward to welcoming you to Cnoc Suain. Beannachtaí, Dearbhaill & Charlie

ATTENTION! PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING = WIFI: There is NO WIFI or cell phone signal in the cottages. Limited phone signal on the grounds. Free Guest WIFI is available in a communal building and shared with other guests. This building is located on our hill, which is a one-minute walk from the cottage. LAUNDRY: Self-Service Guest Laundry Room (Washing machine & tumble dryer) is in another building near the cottage. Laundry powder is provided. SELF-CATERING ONLY:No meals available onsite. ''A place quite unlike any other'' The Guardian: Cnoc Suain is a family-owned hillside settlement nestled within an enchanting rural landscape in the Gaeltacht region of Connemara. Cnoc Suain, meaning ‘Restful Hill’, encompasses restored centuries-old cottages, modern vernacular structures, dry-stone-walled fields, expansive blanket bogland and traces of an ancient past. "Staying in one of these cosy cottages is one of the most authentic experiences you could have in Ireland." National Geographic. ACCOMODATION: 1. One-Bedroom Cottage: Where once lay remnants of a centuries old building, this cottage was lovingly created using local stone, reclaimed wood, and Bangor slates in keeping with the vernacular style and complement the other cottages. 2.Two-Bedroom Cottage: This centuries-old thatch roofed stone cottage has been lovingly and creatively restored and reimagined, with reclaimed timber, water reed (thatch), and local stone. COTTAGES INCLUDE: Wood burning stove, Underfloor heating, Atmospheric dining/living room area, Electrified antique oil lamps, Hand-crafted kitchen (fully equipped with all mod cons), Bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, Walk-in showers, Traditional iron-framed beds with quilt covers, Single level - no stairs. PROVIDED: Welcome hamper of locally produced breakfast foods, Fuel for the fire, Fresh towels & bed linen, Selected books of Irish interest, Board games, Selection of Irish music CD's and player, Bluetooth Speaker, Recommendations for Galway/Connemara region.

Cnoc Suain is privately owned, accessed through pre-booking only, and currently hosts a maximum of 5 guests on site. Only a 25-minute drive from Galway City (Ireland's cultural capital) yet fully immersed in the wild beauty of Connemara. Located in rural countryside between the villages of Spiddal and Moycullen, both a 10-minute drive from the cottage. The picturesque coastal fishing village of Spiddal has two beaches, a scenic coastal walk, a craft village, cafés, bistro, pub, and the Irish fashions, knitwear and gift store Standún. In the village of Moycullen, situated next to lake Corrib, guests can visit the Friday farmers’ market, coffee shops, artisanal food outlets, restaurant, pubs, and outdoor/indoor activities centre. There are also great restaurants and pubs in neighbouring villages: Furbo village (15 min drive/10km) and Barna village (18 min drive/12 km; Oughterard village (25 min drive/23km). Cnoc Suain is ideally located for exploring the surrounding region: Kylemore Abbey and the Connemara National Park (North Connemara) is approx. 1 hour drive; The Burren, in Co. Clare, is a 1-hour drive and the Cliffs of Moher, also in Co. Clare, is approx. 2-hour drive; The ferry to the Aran Islands from Rossaveal Harbour is a 30-minute drive from the cottage. You can also take a flight in a small plane to the islands - the small airport is a 20-minute drive from the cottages. Getting to Cnoc Suain: Cnoc Suain is 6km from the nearest bus route to and from Galway city. Due to the secluded rural location of Cnoc Suain - Guests must have/arrange their own transport. A car, or bicycle, is required to travel to the local villages (we currently do not provide bicycles). You can take a taxi from the bus/train station in Galway city to the cottage. It is also possible to walk to the cottage however please be aware that there is no footpath or hard shoulder. We are approx. 3 hours (235km) drive from Dublin Airport and approx. 1.5 hours (113km) from Shannon Airport.