Awards
“Ireland’s Best Cultural Experience” - Irish Tourism Industry Award 2017
Cnoc Suain was honoured to have been recognised as ‘Ireland’s ‘Best Cultural Experience’ at the biennial Irish Tourism Industry Awards in 2017. The awards are a national scheme that identifies and honours those who are making major differences in the tourism industry.
Eoghan O’Mara-Walsh, Chief Executive of ITIC said: “This award validates all of the hard work that the team at Cnoc Suain have put in over the past two decades. They transformed a hillside farm on a few hundred acres into a best-in-class destination for ecotourism. The retreat’s offering, in terms of culture and sustainability, is second to none and in light of this, Cnoc Suain is highly deserving of this award.”
Society of American Travel Writers “Phoenix Award” 2015
ATW President Len Barnes said in 1988, “Because tourism leaves permanent ‘footprints,’ some harmful to the environment, some destroying the reasons for traveling, the Society of American Travel Writers in 1969 created an award to recognize conservation and preservation efforts of individuals and organizations.
Since then, SATW has recognized conservation, preservation, beautification and antipollution accomplishments as they relate to travel. SATW members nominate individuals, communities, or organizations that have contributed to a quality travel experience through conservation, preservation, beautification or environmental efforts.”
Three Phoenix awards are given to US based projects and one award is presented to an international project which Cnoc Suain received in 2017.
WRTA World Responsible Tourism Award 2015
Organiser of the World Responsible Tourism Awards, states “Founded in 2004, the Awards are a global search and celebration of the most inspiring and enduring responsible tourism experiences in the world.
The Awards rest on a simple principle – that all types of tourism, from niche to mainstream, can and should be organised in a way that preserves, respects and benefits destinations and local people. The Awards celebrate the shining stars of responsible tourism – the individuals, organisations and destinations working innovatively with local cultures, communities and biodiversity.”
The WRTA award panel said, “The judges were impressed by the authenticity of the cultural encounters created for visitors and the way in which the natural heritage is integrated”.
Travel & Leisure “Global Vision Award” 2010
Cnoc Suain, Conamara was chosen as the winner for ‘Cultural Immersion’ in the ‘Preservation’ category. 19 winners were selected worldwide from a list of nearly 150 nominations.
“A beautifully restored hill village that literally sits on layers of Irish history, Cnoc Suain offers a thorough immersion in local culture. Bog walks and classes on the Irish language, music and storytelling combine with picturesque surroundings and centuries-old stone cottages to form a microcosm of traditional Ireland. Thanks in part to its ecology program for local students, Cnoc Suain has also made environmental stewardship a key element of its heritage preservation efforts, [while also displaying an] exemplary approach to Cultural Tourism.” - Travel & Leisure
Writing to Dearbhaill Standún and Charlie Troy, owners of Cnoc Suain, Nancy Novogrod, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure, conveyed the "heartiest congratulations from the editors of Travel + Leisure for serving as a trailblazer and a powerhouse in promoting sustainability and mindfulness of the earth's – and mankind's – precious resources."
The Guardian World Ethical Travel Award 2009
“A place quite unlike any other, where Irish traditions are alive and kicking”.The Guardian
The Guardian/Observer world travel award celebrates the people, organisations and campaigners who are leading the way to ensure we will have an ethical future.
“Sustaining local culture is a vital part of developing a green tourism business. What makes Cnoc Suain unique is that it is not preserving the Irish language, music, cookery and craft in order to enshrine them. Charlie and Dearbhaill are keeping them alive, contemporizing them. This is no theme park. There is nothing tacky or commercial here. It is a place of living culture, oozing with pride and determination to protect and share some of the joys of its heritage”. - Eco Escape Ireland.