Prestigious Phoenix Award for Connemara’s Cultural Retreat, Cnoc Suain, for Sustainable Tourism

Prestigious Phoenix Award for Connemara’s Cultural Retreat, Cnoc Suain, for Sustainable Tourism


Fáilte Ireland has today welcomed the news that Cnoc Suain cultural retreat, near An Spidéal, Connemara, Co. Galway, has won the Phoenix Award for Sustainable Tourism from the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) in Las Vegas.

The Phoenix Award is SATW’s highest recognition bestowed to individuals, businesses, organisations and communities who have demonstrated exceptional efforts in preserving, conserving, beautifying or protecting the historic, cultural and natural resources of an area. Established in 1969, the SATW Phoenix Awards was one of the first programs to acknowledge the importance of resource stewardship.

Ciara Sugrue, Head of International Publicity with Fáilte Ireland welcomed the news, saying:

“Fáilte Ireland would like to congratulate Dearbhaill Standún and Charlie Troy of Cnoc Suain.  Located in the heart of Connemara on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, they are indeed worthy winners of this prestigious award for sustainable tourism.  This nomination, which was submitted by top US journalist Ginger Warder, who was in Ireland earlier this year on a press trip with Fáilte Ireland, is another example of how Irish tourism businesses can gain global recognition through our farmiliarisation trips.

SATW members are invited to nominate individuals, communities, for-profit businesses or non-profit organisations that have contributed to a quality travel experience through proven conservation, preservation, beautification or environmental efforts.

Cnoc Suain was nominated by top US freelance journalist Ginger Warder who visited Ireland recently on a press trip organised by Fáilte Ireland. Ginger Warder is an active member of the Society of American Travel Writers, the author of four travel guide books and a regular contributor to Richmond.com, GoNomad.com, USAToday.com and several regional magazines.

Referring to her nomination, Ginger Warder, SATW member and journalist said -

“I was delighted to nominate Cnoc Suain after the enjoyable and memorable experience that Fáilte Ireland provided me with earlier this year. The entire village of Cnoc Suain is a postcard with tidy thatched-roof cottages, neat lanes, views of the mountains and stone-walled fields—and if you’re lucky some wild Connemara ponies—with the bog spreading out below the big house. To me, this was a slice of the “real Ireland” so often not reflected in tourist attractions.

“But what impressed me the most was the passion of owners Charlie and Dearbhaill who have invested 20 years of hard work to preserve the cultural traditions, the natural beauty and the history of Connemara, offering international exposure for this area and its talented musicians, artists and craftsman. I wanted to share that with my fellow travel writers and American travelers.”

Speaking about the recent award, Dearbhaill Standún and Charlie Troy of Cnoc Suain commented-

“Our wish is for Cnoc Suain to be a witness to the history of our ancestors, a celebration of the work of previous generations, 'food for the soul' for those who are to come.”

Kathy Straach of the Phoenix Award Committee commented –

"Cnoc Suain has served as an example for its dedication to fostering and preserving the culture, nature and heritage of Connemara. Locals are now placing more importance on their own heritage and environment as they understand the economic 'leverage' to be gained by conserving the environment and preserving the local cultural and natural heritage. As they prosper financially, they will be encouraged to take care of their precious and natural resources."

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ENDS

For further information contact

Laoise Donnelly, Press Officer
086 0404788 / 01 8847195

Catherine Whelan, Press Office
087 6449572/01 8847181


Note to Editors

Fáilte Ireland
Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority, was established in 2003 to guide and promote tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy.

The tourism and hospitality industry employs an estimated 205,000 people and generates over €6 billion in overseas revenue a year. 

Growing tourism numbers and revenue are important factors when it comes to job creation within the tourism sector. For example –
• Every 55 international tourist helps support one tourism job
• 1,000 additional tourists support 18 jobs in the tourism industry
• Every €1million of tourist expenditure helps to support 34 tourism jobs

Cnoc Suain
Cnoc Suain is an international award-winning cultural retreat dedicated to fostering and presenting the culture, nature and heritage of Connemara through a place-based learning experience that does not compromise the authenticity or integrity of the region.

Established in 1995 and completed in 2008, the retreat may be rooted in heritage, but it operates with a contemporary outlook focused on the principles of responsible tourism, sustainability and innovation. Their goal is to present authentic and entertaining learning experiences that offer a true insight into a living minority culture and way of life, without the 'tourist bling'. Cnoc Suain is a 'a work in progress', constantly evolving, connecting with the local Gaeltacht community and working in harmony with a variety of regional cultural, culinary and ecotourism groups.

Find out more at www.cnocsuain.com





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