Sneem
| Sneem An tSnaidhm | |
|---|---|
| Village | |
|
Looking East from the bridge | |
  Sneem Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates: 51°50′18″N 9°53′59″W / 51.838376°N 9.899797°WCoordinates: 51°50′18″N 9°53′59″W / 51.838376°N 9.899797°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Munster |
| County | County Kerry |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 557 |
| Time zone | WET (UTC+0) |
| • Summer (DST) | IST (WEST) (UTC-1) |
| Irish Grid Reference | V687670 |
| Website |
www |
Sneem (Irish: An tSnaidhm) is a village 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.
Origin of the place name
The Irish village name An tSnaidhm means "The Knot" in English. Several explanations of the name have been offered.
- One is that a knot-like swirling is said to take place where the River Sneem meets the currents of Kenmare Bay in the estuary, just below the village.
- Another notes that 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.
History
A book, Sneem, The Knot in the Ring, recounts the area's history.[1] In 2000, a time capsule was buried in the centre of the town, to be opened in 2100.[2]
People
In March 1978, the state funeral of former President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh (Carroll O'Daly) took place in Sneem; he had lived nearby before his death.
Steve 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. 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 footballer Ronan Hussey, who was a member of the Kerry senior football panel, is a native of Sneem and still plays with Sneem GAA.
See also
References
- ↑ Stoakley, T.E. (1986). Sneem: The Knot in the Ring. Sneem, Co. Kerry: Sneem Tourism Association. ISBN 0-9511630-0-0.
- ↑ Cashin, Joe (12 October 2005). "To be opened in 2100". PhotoFrom.com. Retrieved 13 February 2007.
External links
- Sneem.com – village web portal
- Sneem.ie – community website
- Photos of Sneem
- The Tidy Towns of Ireland "Celebrating 50 years"
