New Residential Centre in the Mourne Mountains

The Cnocnafeola Committee ltd. formed in 1989 with the primary aim of developing the social, economic and tourist potential of Atticall Village, in the Heart of the Mournes.

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The site for the new development was the parish hall built by local people; know as the “ballroom of romance” in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

The Cnocnafeola Centre “off the beaten track” in Atticall, Co Down, operates as a Community business providing accommodation to visitors and employs around ten local people.

Fundraising activities in the village contributed £50,000 towards the centre. We were also lucky to access funding from DARD (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development), Millennium Halls and NMDC (Newry and Mourne District Council).The 31 bed centre boasts of excellent budget accommodation. All rooms are Ensuite with a mixture of private, four bed and eight bed dorms.

The centre provides secure car parking, laundry facilities, bike storage, lockers, self catering kitchen, lounge, restaurant and conference suite. The Restaurant offers good quality, affordable meals offering only fresh produce and catering for a variety of dietary needs (Especially Vegetarians). It is managed by a local Home – Economics Teacher who has also spent some time in Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork – run by Darinna Allen. Many of her recipes are on the menu at the centre.

We offer the backpacker / outdoor enthusiast / family group everything for their stay. Cnocnafeola is located within the Mournes AONB is committed to re-cycling; the group have worked with many local agencies such as NMDC, Ulster Wildlife Trust and Mourne Heritage Trust to ensure their facility is as environmentally friendly as possible. The centre is installing a solar water heating panel which will reduce the overall running costs, putting Cnocnafeola on the cutting edge of new solar technology.

The centre is also a Community facility, also used by the local primary school. The conference suite is used regularly for such events as: essential skills Maths & English, Food Hygiene, Health programmes (Yoga, Keep Fit) and other Community Pharmacy projects. Currently the Community group are working towards developing an additional programmes.