Cnoc Suain

29/04/2026

An Baile Íochtar/The Lower Village 🏘️💛

Nestled into the hillside, at the end of a winding lane, lies ‘An Baile Íochtar (The Lower Village) at Cnoc Suain, in the Connemara Gaeltacht (Gaelic speaking area), Galway on the Wild Atlantic Way. A cluster of restored and reimagined 17th century cottages, the village is tucked away from the elements yet with nature right on its doorstep. Enjoy a relaxing stay in ‘An Sceach Gheal’ two-bedroom thatched cottage or in ‘An Nead’ one-bedroom Bangor slate-roofed cottage.

Local field stones, reclaimed wood and slate were used in the sustainable restoration and creation of these enchanting cottages. Antique, handcrafted furniture, electrified oil lamps, and some retained original features give character and charm while under-floor heating, walk-in showers and full kitchens provide modern comforts. Wood-burning stoves add atmosphere and specially selected books, board games, Irish music CDs & player, and Bluetooth speaker for some off-grid entertainment. WIFI is available in our ‘Upper Village’, a short walk from the cottages.

Open the cottage half-door and listen to bird song. Admire views of Galway Bay, the Burren, and Connemara from the top of the hill where sits a 3,000-year-old standing stone. Explore the Atlantic blanket bogland and visit the freshwater lake, taking in the expansiveness of the landscape and stunning sunsets. Our small herd of native bog ponies help with conservation grazing which has resulted in an abundance of flora and fauna on our 200-acre nature reserve.

Only a 10-minute drive from the scenic seaside village of An Spidéal, 25-minute drive from Galway city, and an hour drive from Connemara National Park, we are ideally located for exploring Connemara and beyond.

Only two cottages, at opposite ends of the Lower Village, are let for self-catering to allow privacy for guests.

To Book a Stay - see our Website (Link in Bio)
-
-
-

08/03/2026

Cnoc Suain le feiceáil anois sa sár scannán 'Báite', ar an scáileán mór! 👀🎥☘️🎬

See Cnoc Suain on the big screen in the Irish-language murder-mystery film 'Báite' (The Drowned) in cinemas now!

Tá Báite le feiceáil sna pictiúrlanna ar fud na tíre anois le linn Sheachtain na Gaeilge!! ☘️☘️

Ainmníodh BÁITE do cheithre Ghradam IFTA, ina measc Aisteoir i bPríomhról i Scannán (Eleanor O’Brien), An Stiúrthóir is Fearr – Scannán (Ruán Magan), Script – Scannán (Sheena Lambert) agus Ceol Bunaidh (Eimear Noone agus Craig Stuart Garfinkle). Bhain an scannán Gradam an Cheoil Bhunaidh amach.

Táimid ag tnúth go mór leis an scannán a fheiceáil inniu 🍿🍿

21/12/2025

Grianstad an Gheimhridh agus an lá chomh suaimhneach, ciúin, machnamhach.💚

Enjoying the stillness that surrounds the standing stone on this 'mistical' winter solstice morning.☀️

Míle buíochas le gach duinne a thug tacaíocht duinn i mbliana. 🙏🏻
Thank you to all who supported us this year.

We are closed until March 2026.
For our 2026 Cultural Experiences and Cottage Stays - see link in bio for further info, bookings and enquiries. 🗓️
-
-
-

31/10/2025

Craic ar an gCnoc! Oíche Shamhna 1995... 👻

30 years ago today, shortly after our move to Cnoc Suain, we threw a Halloween party. 🎆
It was a clear moonlit night and a bonfire was lit on the top of the hill🔥
Family, friends and neighbours gathered in fancy dress costumes.
It was a memorable night with music, song and dance by the open fire in Tigh Ellen cottage (before its restoration). 🎻🎶💃🏡

Oíche draoichtúil le cairde ionúin 💚✨
-
-
-

04/09/2025

Tá séasúr na torthúlachta tagtha! 🍒

Its nice to see bright blue skies again after what was a grey, wet, windy end to our summer.
However, the weather did not affect Autumn's wild fruit harvest here at Cnoc Suain. The season has brought a bumper crop of sloes, haws, and rowans, with berries larger than ever.
No fruit on our elderberry trees this year as they slowly recover following last winter’s big storm.
-
-
-
🍁

13/07/2025

Comhghairdeas leo siúd go léir a thug an scannán Báitethefilm chun críche! 🎥👏👏

The Irish language film 'Báite' (2025), directed by Ruán Magan and produced locally by An Spidéal's Danú Media, premiered this week at this years Galway Film Fleadh, where it won Best Irish Language Film in the festival.🏆

Some exterior and interior scenes of this murder mystery family drama, adapted from Sheena Lambert's book 'The Lake', were shot here on location at Cnoc Suain in April 2024.

As part of the set, our thatched stone cottages were creatively transformed into 1950's and 1970's rural Ireland.

The film was supported by Cine4, the new scheme to support the development of original Irish language feature films. 🎬

📷 Images 3 & 4: TG4
-
-
-

25/06/2025

Delighted to be listed (and a top pick!) in this amazing new comprehensive guidebook of the West of Ireland, written by one of our cottage guests. 📖

'Wild Guide - West of Ireland' by Candida Frith-Macdonald, is packed full of hidden gems and 'secret places', from ancient sites to secluded beaches, woodlands to eateries. Complete with stunning photography, this book is a must for those seeking places not found on the usual tourist maps. 📌🗺️

Whether you're a local, living in Ireland, or planning your first trip, you'll discover how much there is to see and enjoy in this part of the country. 💚

And with so much on our own cottage doorsteps, you won't have to venture far from Cnoc Suain to experience some of these great places.
There's a copy of the guidebook in our cottages for guests to read 🤓

To book a stay in one of our cottages - book direct via our website for best rates. Link in bio. 📅
-
-
-

30/05/2025

Oíche ceolmhar taitneamhach ag , An Spidéal.🎶

A wonderful evening of music was had last night at Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal as part of Feasta Ceoil An Spidéil 2025. Renowned whistle player Mary Bergin was joined on stage by fellow members of the music group Dordán, Dearbhaill Standún (Cnoc Suain) on violin and Kathleen Loughnane on harp. Also performing with Mary on the night were well-known musicians Tony Linnane on fiddle and Mick Conneely on bouzouki.
-
-
-

09/05/2025

Draíocht agus suaimhneas an phortaigh ✨

The fine weather we've been having has brought an abundance of Bog Cotton, Ceannbhán in Gaelic, to our blanket bogland. ☀️🌱

This native plant was once used to make candle wicks as well as filling for pillows and mattresses - like sleeping on little fluffy clouds! ☁️
-
-
-

17/03/2025

Lá fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! ☘️

Green, white and golden yellow! 💛 The beautiful, native 'Lus na gaoithe' ('Windflower' in Gaelic) 'petals' are able to withstand the wind due to it's flexible stems. Commonly known as Wood Anemone, it is in full bloom here this time of year.
-
-
-