''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 cozy cottages is one of the most authentic experiences you could have in Ireland." National Geographic
Disconnect and reconnect in an atmosphere of tranquillity and timelessness in 'An Nead', our cosy one-bedroom stone-faced cottage that's full of charm.
Where once lay the remnants of a centuries old stone building, this cottage was lovingly created using local stone, reclaimed wood and blue Bangor slates in keeping with the vernacular style and so as to complement the natural landscape and other cottages on the grounds.
Favoured by couples, solo travellers, visiting writers, and ecologists, an Nead radiates warmth and character through handcrafted furniture and thoughtful, creative interiors - the perfect artist’s retreat!
An Nead 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 on a self-catering basis to ensure privacy and peace for all guests. Our second cottage, a two-bedroom thatched roofed cottage, is also listed on Airbnb.
Exuding a sense of timelessness, comfort, and ease, An Nead 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
> One bedroom with ensuite bathroom and walk-in shower
> Traditional iron-framed bed with quilted bed cover ***Please Note Bed Size - Width 6ft/ 183cm x Length 6ft 3''/ 190cm***
> Single level cottage - no stairs

Maximum two guests only. Adults 14+ years of age only. No infants, toddlers or children permitted.
Please note: To protect the surrounding wildlife, we do not accept pets of any kind, including housetrained, non-shedding or hypoallergenic animals. Guide and Service dogs welcome.
WIFI & Cell Phone Coverage: There is no WIFI or mobile/cell phone signal in the cottages and limited mobile/cell phone signal on the grounds.
FREE WIFI for guests in a small stone-faced building located near the top or the hill in our Upper Village, a one-minute walk from the cottage (a certain level of mobility is required to the is building and to walk the grounds).
Laundry: Guest laundry room (with washing machine and tumble dryer) is located in a separate building across from the cottage. The laundry room is shared with guests from our other cottage, An Sceach Gheal. Eco laundry powder, laundry basket, clothes airer, iron and ironing board 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 CD's 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 which 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!
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 on 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.