Binas Cottage Leenane
The cottage was the home of Bina McLoughlin up until her death at the age of 72 in 2001. Bina was a larger than life character who shared her tiny cottage on the slopes of the Maam Turk mountains with at least 40 cats, a peacock, donkeys, goats, sheep and a litter of dogs.
Dressed in flowing colourful shawls with dark black ringlets and a booming voice Bina seemed like a character from a different era. She was such a dominant feature of the area that she soon became know as "Queen of Connemara". Visitors to the cottage where entertained by a never ending supply of stories and a great repertoire of ballads.
I have been told that the cottage is an old school house from the late 19th century. This theory is supported by presence of a peeked elevation to the front of the roof which would suggest the porch was a later addition.
(See alternative photo of the cottage)