Connemara pony at play. It's that magical time again at "Cuach Cottage" Clifden, Connemara., County Galway. Snow capped 12 Bens, calling out for walkers, hikers...go and explore. 

I have been collecting some sloes from the hedgerows and have made some Sloe Gin for the New Year. A lovely liqueur and so easy to make.

Jamie's quick recipe:

Tipp: Hedgerow berries are ripe when you can squish them between your fingers.....try it !!

Lets  Go:

Jamie's recipe which I use myself.

"Pick enough to half-fill the bottle of your choice, but if you have loads it’s a really good idea to make a batch of them. The longer you leave your gin the better, so anything you don’t drink this year will be fantastic the following year, and even better the year after that.

Start by sticking them in the freezer overnight. This will simulate the first frost and split the skin on your berries, allowing them to release their natural sweetness.

After sterilising your airtight bottle(s), half fill it with the frozen fruit and top up with gin – a good gin please, Dingle for example Ha ! Ha !, You of course have to keep sampling as you go!!!! Only joking. Cheap ones make cheap sloe gin and will often ruin your hard work. Add two big spoonfuls of caster sugar and shake for a minute. Lay on its side out of direct sunlight and twist it 180 degrees every other day for two months."

I like to add the ready to drink Sloe Gin to our home made fruit salad syrup, ie. equal parts water & sugar bring to the boil and let cool completely then add the secret

ingredient a generous tablespoon of the beautifully coloured Sloe Gin , gives your fruit salad not only a fantastic colour but a little kick.  Serve in a glass bowl to appreciate the Fab colour and flavour... TRY IT ! 

Marian.

To all new and returning guests for the 2024 season. A very BIG thank you to all  visiting " Cuach Cottage " during 2023 and huge welcome to returnees in 2024. After such a traumatic few years,  I hope all guests will find the beautiful surrounding's of " Cuach Cottage "  very rejuvenating and offer moments of reflection on what matters most in life, each other ! Sometimes in our lives we forget  to take time out to tell our loved ones how precious they are .

2024 Season.

Once again Spring / Summer is just around the corner, bringing it's own unique beauty to Connemara with particular emphasis on the wild life, flora and fauna that immediately surrounds our Cottage.

A real Chill Out Zone !! awaits the visitor.

Many past Guests have forwarded their own photos of Birds, Butterflies, Sheep, Ponies, for inclusion in our website. Indeed, our very own Fox, "FOXY " together with Otters, Mallards, Cormorants, Herons, all foraging and playing in our river  right under our kitchen window! Congrats to all budding photographers. We will publish as many as we can so keep up the good work !

The Otters are of course very elusive, however, we have been lucky to spot them ourselves at play on the riverbank on a number of occasions. 

Again this coming year 2024 we are registered and accredited with Failte Ireland  and have achieved Super host status through another channel, we offer the this visitor assurance and comfort, regarding standards and compliance. It's peace of mind really.

Finally, thank you for choosing our holiday home, stay safe and look after each other,

Best wishes, 

Marian & Liam

Need a short break ? recharge your batteries ? chill out ? then "Cuach Cottage" is the ideal getaway this coming St. Patrick's Day.

Travel down on the Thursday afternoon the 16 th. !!! and enjoy a 4 night stopover taking in the hugely popular St. Patrick's Day parade in Clifden. Our 5 Star reviewed cottage provides a home away from home experience not to be missed !

Stay and enjoy this traditional cottage in all it's splendour on it's 4 acre plot complete with our very own fresh water river stocked with trout and the occasional Salmon. Try your hand and hopefully catch more than a sprat !! Please note Otter's and Cormorant's also in residence.

Lots of things to do and amuse the children whilst on vacation in Cuach. Park the smart phones for the weekend and take full advantage of the beautiful beaches on our doorstep, the 12 Bens, Walk Errisbeg, Salt Lake Kyaking, Shrimping, Boating on Lough Fadda, Connemara Championship Golf Links, or investigate the Alcock and Brown site closeby +++++++

Alternatively just enjoy the peace and tranquility surrounding our cottage, birdsong, babbling water flow etc.

To book accommodation just go to our reservations page or contact us directly on 087-27-88-352

Happy PADDIE'S DAY

Liam & Marian.

Marian and Liam wish one and all a very happy Christmas & New Year. We would also like to take this opportunity to especially thank all our visitors who booked accommodation at "Cuach Cottage" over the years. It was a pleasure hosting every one of you.

The reviews are always complimentary and the children's written words, just so nice and endearing !! You know, this is what it's all about !!

The months are flying in. At this moment we are busy - busy - busy, getting our cottage ready for the fast approaching season. It's fantastic in Connemara right now, truly inspirational with the constantly changing light. The Northern Lights were visible from our back garden paddocks recently. Painters, sketchers and outdoorsy people please note. The seasonal differences in this part of the West of Ireland are just so inspiring.

We have invested heavily in "Cuach Cottage" recently and the extra dimension this brings to seasonal visitors will be welcomed I'm sure.

Cuach is now fully registered and approved by Failte Ireland & Discover Ireland. We are on The Wild Atlantic Way the longest trail of it's kind to be found anywhere in the world.

Quick note; The Alcock & Brown / Marconi site is now finished and welcoming visitors. This site is within easy walking distance of our cottage so do enjoy.

Our Fox is now ever present and is becoming somewhat familiar, no worries, we just will not allow him in to the house, but we do love him and his antics, he is such an acrobat, see pics. !!

Our Connemara pony has his blanket on and just loves apples and carrots, he will eat from your hand but do be careful, hand perfectly flat at all times as you do not want to have him nibble your fingers.

Once again a very " BIG THANK YOU " and see you again perhaps at "Cuach Cottage" in the not too distant future.

Best wishes for 2017.

Liam & Marian.