Cnoc Suain offers a serene retreat amidst the wild beauty of Connemara. This centuries-old thatched roofed stone cottage, An Sceach Gheal, features a wood-burning stove and underfloor heating for cozy comfort. Enjoy an atmospheric dining/living room area with electrified antique oil lamps and walk-in showers in each ensuite bedroom.
Reviews
9.49.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
2 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 385 sq m
Popular amenities
Dryer
Washer
Fireplace
Parking available
Kitchen
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
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.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the house: WiFi
Parking and transportation
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
3 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Wood stove
Entertainment
Books
Games
Outdoor areas
Outdoor furniture
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Gravel flooring in public areas
No elevator (single-level property)
Single level property
Smooth flooring in public areas
Stair-free path to entrance
Tile flooring in public areas
Smoking not allowed
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In a rural location
In a village
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
General
Bulk dispensers for toiletries
Composting
Comprehensive recycling policy
Double-glazed windows
Eco-friendly cleaning products used
Eco-friendly toiletries
Humane treatment of captive wild animals
Local culture and ecosystem education
Locally-owned and organized tours and activities
No plastic coffee stirrers
No plastic drinking straws
No plastic soft drink bottles
Property does not allow children
Reusable cups
Reusable tableware
Unit size: 914 square feet
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You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Check-out instructions
The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Turn off the lights
Please leave the door key on the table in the cottage. Thank you.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
This property does not allow children
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property is also known as
403702
About the neighborhood
County Galway, Galway
What's nearby
University of Galway - 22 min drive - 20.1 km
University Hospital Galway - 23 min drive - 22.2 km
Shop Street - 26 min drive - 23.2 km
Quay Street - 26 min drive - 23.6 km
Eyre Square - 26 min drive - 23.2 km
Getting around
Galway Station - 50 min drive
Restaurants
Olive Tree Restaurant - 14 min drive
Supermac's - 9 min drive
Builín Blasta - 8 min drive
Donnelly's - 14 min drive
The Coffee House - 14 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Historical Thatched Cottage @ Multi-Award-Winning Cnoc Suain pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Historical Thatched Cottage @ Multi-Award-Winning Cnoc Suain?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Historical Thatched Cottage @ Multi-Award-Winning Cnoc Suain?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Historical Thatched Cottage @ Multi-Award-Winning Cnoc Suain located?
Situated in a rural location, this vacation home is within 6 mi (10 km) of Spiddal Craft Centre, Spiddal Pier, and Spiddal Beach. Connemara Marble Visitor Centre and Bearna Golf and Country Club are also within 6 mi (10 km).
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