''A place quite unlike any other'' The Guardian.
Welcome to Cnoc Suain, our family-owned hillside settlement nestled within an enchanting rural landscape in the Gaeltacht region of Connemara.
Located on a popular cycling route between two villages:Spiddal(6.5km) for beach, crafts & music, and Moycullen(8.5km)for Friday farmers market & adventure centre. Only 25 mins drive from Galway City(Ireland's cultural capital)yet fully immersed in the wild beauty 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
'An Sceach Gheal' - this centuries-old thatched roofed stone cottage named after the distinct c300 year old hawthorn tree that once grew at its gable end - has been lovingly and creatively restored and reimagined, with reclaimed timber, water reed (thatch), local stone and a renewable heating system.
An Sceach Gheal is part of 'An Baile Íochtar'(The Lower Village) at Cnoc Suain - a cluster of thatched and slate roofed cottages nestled into the hillside. Only two cottages at either end of An Baile Íochtar are let out on a self-catering basis to ensure privacy and peace for all guests - Our bangor-slate roof one-bedroom cottage is also available.
Exuding a sense of timelessness, comfort, and ease, An Sceach Gheal includes:
> A wood-burning stove
> Underfloor heating
> An atmospheric dining / living room area
> Electrified antique oil lamps throughout
> A hand-crafted integrated kitchen - fully equipped with all modern conveniences
> Two ensuite bedrooms, one double & one single
> Walk-in showers
> Traditional iron-framed beds with quilted bed covers **Please note lengths - Double (4ft 6' / 135cm wide, 6ft 3" / 190cm long) & Single (3ft / 92cm wide, 6ft 3" / 190cm long) ***
> Single level cottage - no stairs
Please Note: Some original features retained in parts of the cottage: low doorways and ceiling height; uneven floor surface.
Maximum three guests only in this cottage
NO CHILDREN, TODDLERS or INFANTS - Adult children 13+ years of age only.
PETS: We do not accept pets of any kind, including housetrained, non-shedding, or hypoallergenic animals. This to protect the surrounding wildlife as well as our own and our neighbour's farm livestock. Guide and Service dogs welcome.
WIFI & Cell Phone Coverage: There is NO WIFI in our cottages due to no available signal in that area.
There is no mobile/cell phone signal in the cottages and limited mobile/cell phone signal on the grounds.
WIFI is available for guests in a small building located near the top of the hill on our property, a two-minute walk from the cottage. (A certain level of mobility is required to access this building and to walk the grounds.)
LAUNDRY The guest laundry room (with washing machine and tumble dryer) is located in a separate building not far from the cottage. The laundry room is shared with guests from our other cottage. Eco laundry powder, laundry basket, iron and ironing board are provided.
To help guests enjoy their stay, we provide:
> A welcome hamper of locally produced foods.
> Fuel for the stove.
> Fresh towels & bed linen.
> Specially selected books of Irish interest & board games
> Selection of Irish music CDs and CD player
> Bluetooth Speaker
> Recommendations on places to eat, what to see & do in the Galway/Connemara region.
Cottage supplies: We endeavour to provide as many local, organic, Fairtrade, eco-friendly, and natural supplies in our cottages, which includes our welcome hamper, kitchen, and bathroom supplies.
There is a water filter jug in the kitchen that can be used instead of purchasing bottled water.
The Grounds:
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 mountain range.
Great place for birdwatching (particularly during April & May) and Stargazing!
We are home to many native Irish wildlife, including the Irish hare, fox, badgers, stoats, bats, lizards, otter, and over 30 species of birds.
Guests can walk the paths on the grounds. Guests can walk to the standing stone which is in a field at the top of the hill, and also walk to the lake - there are wellington boots available for guests to use if the grounds are wet. In summer and autumn, relax under the grapevines in the Garden Rooms and listen to the grapes grow!
Kerry Bog Ponies: we own a small herd of Kerry Bog Ponies (rare breed of small pony native to Ireland) who graze the fields and bogland at Cnoc Suain and help us with land management and conservation. They are kept in secured fields, and you may see them during your stay, depending on where they are grazing. Do not enter a field or stable where ponies are. The ponies are friendly and enjoy meeting guests, however, always take precautions around animals.
We would like to let guests know that there are wind turbines/mills in the locality. However, they do not impact any of the Experiences at Cnoc Suain.
Location:
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 Cnoc Suain.
Cnoc Suain is in an area favoured by cyclists and walkers alike, with the 'Mountain Road' - on which Cnoc Suain is situated - being part of a popular cycling route.
Annual Festivals in Galway City & County: Cúirt - International festival of Literature, Galway Film Fleadh, Galway Arts Festival, Galway Races, Clifden Connemara Pony Show & Festival, Galway Oyster Festival, Cruinniú na mBád - Traditional Irish Boat Festival, Clifden Arts Festival, Clarinbridge Oyster Festival.
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 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 or 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.
We are approx 3 hours (235km) drive from Dublin Airport and approx 1.5 hours (113km) from Shannon Airport.
Cnoc Suain is privately owned & is accessed through pre-booking only. We currently host a maximum total of 5 guests on site.
