Sneem
Encyclopedia
Sneem is a town situated on the Iveragh Peninsula
(part of the Ring of Kerry
) in County Kerry
in the southwest of Ireland
. It lies on the estuary of the River Sneem. National route N70
runs through the town.
The Irish town name, "An tSnaidhm", means "The Knot" in English. One explanation of the name is that a knot-like swirling is said to take place where the Sneem river meets the currents of Kenmare
Bay in the estuary just below the village.
Sneem village comprises two squares, North and South. A bridge in the middle of the village, viewed from overhead, acts as a knot between the two squares. A less common explanation is that Sneem is the knot in the scenic Ring of Kerry
.
A book, Sneem, The Knot in the Ring, recounts the area's history. In 2000, a time capsule was buried in the centre of the town, to be opened in 2100.
in 1987. The project was completed in 1989-90. The buildings won the National Landscape Award in 1997.
Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh
took place in Sneem; Ó Dálaigh lived in the area before his death.
A number of common Irish family names are associated with Sneem, including Sullivan and O'Sullivan. Because there can be many O'Sullivans, locals append words to differentiate between them, for example "O'Sullivan-Mountain".
Former French President Charles de Gaulle
visited Sneem on numerous occasions and a sculpture commemorates this in the village.
The legendary Casey family of rowers and wrestlers were all from Sneem; the most famous was Steve 'Crusher' Casey
who emigrated to America in 1936. He was both NWA
and AWA heavyweight wrestling champion of the world five times between 1938 and 1947. On one occasion he held the title for just a few weeks before being defeated. In 1982 he received the Irish Hall Of Fame Award, presented by Olympic gold medallist Ronnie Delany
. There is a statue commemorating him in the village.
William Melville
, the first head of the British Secret Service, was born at nearby Direenaclaurig Cross.
The Gaelic football
er Ronan Hussey
, who was a member of the Kerry senior football panel
, is a native of Sneem and still plays with Sneem GAA
.
Iveragh Peninsula
The Iveragh Peninsula is located in County Kerry in Ireland. It is the largest peninsula in southwestern Ireland. A mountain range, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, lies in the centre of the peninsula...
(part of the Ring of Kerry
Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry is a tourist trail in County Kerry, south-western Ireland. The route covers the 179 km circular road , starting from Killarney, heading around the Iveragh Peninsula and passing through Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen and Killorglin...
) in County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
in the southwest of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. It lies on the estuary of the River Sneem. National route N70
N70 road (Ireland)
The N70 road is a national secondary road in Ireland. It comprises most of the Ring of Kerry.-Route: – Sneem – Castlecove – Caherdaniel – Waterville – Cahersiveen – Killorglin – – Milltown – Castlemaine – – Tralee.-See also:*Roads...
runs through the town.
The Irish town name, "An tSnaidhm", means "The Knot" in English. One explanation of the name is that a knot-like swirling is said to take place where the Sneem river meets the currents of Kenmare
Kenmare
Kenmare is a small town in the south of County Kerry, Ireland. The name Kenmare is the anglicised form of Ceann Mara meaning "head of the sea", referring to the head of Kenmare Bay.-Location:...
Bay in the estuary just below the village.
Sneem village comprises two squares, North and South. A bridge in the middle of the village, viewed from overhead, acts as a knot between the two squares. A less common explanation is that Sneem is the knot in the scenic Ring of Kerry
Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry is a tourist trail in County Kerry, south-western Ireland. The route covers the 179 km circular road , starting from Killarney, heading around the Iveragh Peninsula and passing through Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen and Killorglin...
.
A book, Sneem, The Knot in the Ring, recounts the area's history. In 2000, a time capsule was buried in the centre of the town, to be opened in 2100.
Sculpture
There is much public sculpture in Sneem. The work of Vivienne Roche, Alan Hall, Tamara Rikman and a panda sculpture donated by the Peoples Republic of China can be seen in various locations. "The Risen Christ" by Brother Joseph McNally is located in the grounds of St. Michael's Church and the goddess Isis donated by the people of Egypt stands at "The Way The Fairies Went", a collection of buildings designed by Kerry sculptor James Scanlon, and executed by local stoneworkers overlooking the river near St. Michael's Church. It was financed by the Arts Council of Ireland as a result of Sneem winning the Irish Tidy Towns CompetitionIrish Tidy Towns Competition
Tidy Towns is an annual competition, first held in 1958, organised by the Irish Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in order to honour the tidiest and most attractive cities, towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland...
in 1987. The project was completed in 1989-90. The buildings won the National Landscape Award in 1997.
People
In March 1978, the state funeral of former PresidentPresident of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh
Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh
Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh served as the fifth President of Ireland, from 1974 to 1976. He resigned in 1976 after a clash with the government. He also had a notable legal career, including serving as Chief Justice of Ireland.- Early life :Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, one of four children, was born on 12 February...
took place in Sneem; Ó Dálaigh lived in the area before his death.
A number of common Irish family names are associated with Sneem, including Sullivan and O'Sullivan. Because there can be many O'Sullivans, locals append words to differentiate between them, for example "O'Sullivan-Mountain".
Former French President Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. He later founded the French Fifth Republic in 1958 and served as its first President from 1959 to 1969....
visited Sneem on numerous occasions and a sculpture commemorates this in the village.
The legendary Casey family of rowers and wrestlers were all from Sneem; the most famous was Steve 'Crusher' Casey
Steve Casey
Stephen "Steve" Casey was an Irish sport rower and world champion professional wrestler. He was the second Irish wrestler, after Danno O'Mahoney, to become a world champion.- Rowing :...
who emigrated to America in 1936. He was both NWA
World Heavyweight Championship (National Wrestling Association)
The World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship of the National Wrestling Association , an offshoot of the National Boxing Association...
and AWA heavyweight wrestling champion of the world five times between 1938 and 1947. On one occasion he held the title for just a few weeks before being defeated. In 1982 he received the Irish Hall Of Fame Award, presented by Olympic gold medallist Ronnie Delany
Ron Delany
Ronald Michael Delany , better known as Ron or Ronnie is a former Irish athlete, who specialised in middle distance running.Born in Arklow, Delany moved with his family to Dublin when he was 6...
. There is a statue commemorating him in the village.
William Melville
William Melville
William Melville was an Irish law enforcement officer and the first chief of the British Secret Service, forerunner of MI5.-Birth:...
, the first head of the British Secret Service, was born at nearby Direenaclaurig Cross.
The Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
er Ronan Hussey
Ronan Hussey
Ronan Hussey is an Irish sportsman. He plays Gaelic football with his local Sneem club, with the South Kerry divisional team, and formerly with the Kerry county team.-Playing career:...
, who was a member of the Kerry senior football panel
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
, is a native of Sneem and still plays with Sneem GAA
Sneem GAA
Sneem GAA is an intermediate Gaelic Athletic Association club from County Kerry, Ireland.. They have won 4 South Kerry Senior Football Championships in 1972, 1977, 1997 and 1998, Kerry Junior Football Championship in 1997.-History:...
.
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland