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Sneem

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Sneem
An tSnaidhm
Village
Looking East from the bridge
Looking East from the bridge
CountryIreland
ProvinceMunster
CountyCounty Kerry
Population
 (2002)
 • Rural
672
Time zoneUTC+0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-1 (IST (WEST))
Irish Grid ReferenceV687670
Websitewww.sneem.net

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.[citation needed]
  • 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.[citation needed]

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]

Bridge near village square

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

  1. ^ Stoakley, T.E. (1986). Sneem: The Knot in the Ring. Sneem, Co. Kerry: Sneem Tourism Association. ISBN 0-9511630-0-0. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ Cashin, Joe (12 October 2005). "To be opened in 2100". PhotoFrom.com. Retrieved 13 February 2007.
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