Áit: Bespoke Castle-Side Hideaway with Sedum Roof

Áit – pronounced ‘ought’ in English and meaning place, homestead or site in Irish – is a unique cottage combining the best of contemporary Irish design with a traditional farming setting.

Perched beside the historic Doonagore Castle, this luxury coastal sanctuary blends cutting-edge architecture with deep, ancestral heritage. The property sits on Nagles Farm, the working 7th-generation family farm where my husband was raised.
As a trained designer, artist and beekeeper, we have mindfully extended a 1970s cottage, keeping its original features as a nod to its retro structure, while adding a striking modern extension crowned with a living sedum roof that allows the new wing to melt beautifully into the green hillside.
Inside, the home is a masterclass in custom craftsmanship and modern comfort. Seamless polished concrete floors run throughout, paired with underfloor heating that provides silent, luxurious warmth underfoot. The entire kitchen and all beds are handcrafted in Ireland exclusively for this property. The interiors feature a stylish, curated ambiance, bridging retro charm with elite modern design.
The striking new extension has been deliberately angled to frame panoramic sea views of the Aran Islands and Galway Bay, while strategically shielding the cottage to guarantee absolute privacy. From the comfort of the large open-plan living space and kitchen—designed explicitly around the art of chilling out—you can look directly out at Crab Island. While sitting and reading a book, you can easily watch its world-famous big wave surf break; guests can spot elite surfers tackling this legendary Atlantic wave right from the window.
The cottage features two luxurious bedrooms and one premium bathroom, offering tailored comfort through highly versatile sleeping arrangements:
• Bedroom 1: A beautifully appointed room featuring a plush king-size bed.
• Bedroom 2: An ultra-premium room featuring a super king-size bed that can be effortlessly converted into two single beds upon request, perfectly accommodating couples, friends, or families.

This unique Áit ( place )is perfectly positioned between the pillars of our family's heritage: the original 19th-century Nagles farmhouse and its traditional farm buildings to one side, and our next-generation, modern family home to the other. They flank the valley beautifully. Your cottage sits serenely between them (but at a distance of over 500 metres!).

Every inch of the property has been meticulously upgraded to an A-rated energy standard, delivering eco-friendly warmth through all Irish seasons. Outside, stepping through the welcoming entrance hallway, the grounds are an on-going wildlife and pollinator conservation project. A private pond and wild gardens are newly designed and currently transitioning; these native plantings will fully mature over time and bloom for our bees, and in the meantime the vast open spaces offer raw coastal beauty and bucolic calm. While you will feel a world away on our working land, a scenic coastal road right outside your door grants effortless access to the region. We look forward to sharing the unique rhythm of this land with you.