Guestbook/Testimonials

Fiona Monaghan, General Manager, Failte Ireland West (Irish Tourist Board)

"I would like to thank you both for taking time to show me around Cnoc Suain yesterday evening. It truly is an amazing project and I can only begin to imagine the hours & years of pain-staking work that has been put in to bring the project this far. Given the fast paced world we currently live in, Cnoc Suain is a delightful oasis providing the visitor a unique opportunity to experience the culture and environment of Connemara in a tranquil and historic setting."...

Kat Anderson, NY

"Dearbhaill and Charlie . I had such a nice time and the two of you deserve all the credit in the world for organizing such a delightful program, for creating Cnoc Suain, and for the incredible amount of work and effort that went into the week. So, I can't wait to come back! I can't think of anywhere where I feel more relaxed, engaged, fully alive and have more fun! Many congratulations and with every best wish".

Sima Miska, Miami, Florida, US.

I wanted to share with you my recent travel to Ireland (October 2010) and visit to Cnoc Suain, Conamara, Cultural Retreat, Galway. It is a must see if you are interested in experiencing a unique way of learning about the history, culture, archaeology of this beautiful and fascinating island. The owners, Dearbhaill Standun and Charlie Troy greeted us warmly and took us on a tour of the original stone cottages with thatched roofs, explained the life styles and of the hardships the original settlers had to endure. We then were taken on a short walk to the bog where Charlie explained and demonstrated clearly the life cycle of the bog and its benefits. Later, we were invited to one of the historical cottages to experience making of the soda bread. We were then entertained by Dearbhaill on the violin. To complete our tour, Dearbhaill, a wonderful story teller, recited a poem in Gaelic and she taught us steps to a typical Irish folk dance. Such fun!
Dearbhaill and Charlie's commitment and determination to preserve, to educate, and to promote sustainable life style were clearly evident. We enjoyed our visit tremendously and look forward to experiencing the "immersion into the local culture of Ireland" in the near future.
Safe and happy traveling!

Dan Regan,  Tir na Blog, On Your Trip

Sitting in the wilds of the Connemara Gaeltacht, Cnoc Suain calls itself a "cultural retreat" but the culture isn't retreating here. It's running up and smacking you right in the kisser. This is a glimpse into the lives of rural Irish people as it existed for centuries and it's fascinating stuff. As Irish Fest president-elect Barney Walsh pointed out after our visit there, it would have been really easy to make this place really cheesy. But they didn't.

From the restored 1691 stone cottage, made of dry-stacked granite boulders, some as big as a Smart Car to the Sean-nós music in the "new" (only 150 years old) cottage to the St. Brigid's cross making workshop and brown bread demonstrations, the whole experience was great. The fact that it takes place in one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful landscapes in the world didn't hurt. They even arranged a rainbow for us.

 

I can't recommend a visit highly enough.

 

Dan Regan, a founder and past president of the Kansas City Irish Fest experienced the Cnoc Suain "Gaelic Cultural Window" programme with members of AOIFE - the Association of Irish Festival Events.