The official website of Sneem village, the knot in the Ring of Kerry. Situated along The Wild Atlantic Way
The September issue features Sneem Rowing Club celebrating their participation in the All Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships which took place in Glenarm, Co. Antrim in August. Inside are local reports and news of upcoming events.
The August edition features the Sneem Summer Festival Committee on the front page celebrating a fabulous festival in July. Inside are reports from various clubs and news of upcoming events.
Following winning the South and Mid-West Regional Pollinator Award in 2018 and 2019, Sneem TidyTowns commissioned a Biodiversity Feasibility Study of Sneem village which identified this unused field as an area rich in biodiversity which could be developed for the community. As a result this Wild Garden was created in 2021/22 by Sneem TidyTowns with the aid of funding from Kerry County Council through the CLÁR programme.
Continue reading “The Wild Garden”
2025/2026 INITIATIVES
We received our second Green Flag in 2025 and again won the Community Pollinator Award.
The willow tunnel was rebuilt in Spring 2026, sourcing the longer rods from a nearby willow fence.
The squares were again left uncut for No Mow May, and our marsh orchid reappeared!
We held a FIT Count workshop in the Garden as part of Biodiversity Week 2025
We held an outreach event “Wild Bees in the Wild Garden” as part of the Kerry Wild Bee Festival 2025 in July 2025. Alan Balfe, senior ecologist from Tralee Bay Wetlands and Ger Scollard, Irish Wildlife Trust Kerry Branch and members of Transition Kerry travelled to Sneem for talks and a Bee Walk. One of the highlights was seeing the bees carrying leaves into the post in the Garden of the Senses.
We created a Native Wildflower Trail along the side of the willow tunnel with hand-painted signs in August 2025.
A new sculpture was unveiled in November 2025 as part of the Sneem Ogham Tree Trail. Carved from locally sourced bog deal, it represents Scots Pine.
In 2025/2026 we added ragged robin, red campion, teasel and foxgloves all grown from seed. Also collected seed from wild carrot and knapweed last autumn.
Sneem Preschool and Community have taken one of the beds in the outdoor allotments.
Pesticide-free zone – all our weeding of the paths is by hand with hoes and shovels.
There is a lot of Rhododendron ponticum in the hedge bordering the garden. We have now received training in treating it and plan to start working on controlling it in the garden this year.
Funding has been approved to erect an inclusive bird’s nest swing in one of the grass squares so we are hoping this will be erected this summer.
ABOUT THE GARDEN OF SENSES
A project by the FAS CE Scheme and Sneem Development Co-op Ltd.
This project was started in 2002, situated on a beautiful 2 acre site down Quay Road which was acquired by Sneem Development Co-operative in 1988. The garden was designed with the visually impaired and wheelchair users in mind. The National Council of the Blind advised the use of raised flower beds, stone kerbing for the visually impaired to tap with a stick as they walk along, wheelchair friendly paths, and the planting of textured and scented plants.
Continue reading “Garden of the Senses”
The community of Sneem is very connected to their local water bodies with the Sneem River flowing from the catchments through the centre of the village out into Kenmare Bay. As a traditional community of farmers and fishersmen, we have a strong appreciation of the importance of healthy natural waters. Our tourism industry is underpinned by the beauty of the surrounding mountains, rivers and the sea with stunning views from Sneem Bridge, Sneem Quay and the Kerry Way.
Continue reading “Sneem River”
The May issue features the winning Sneem players from Na Fianna and upcoming events for National Biodiversity Week. Inside are reports from local clubs, schools and churches and upcoming events.
The April edition features photos from the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Sneem and reports from local community groups, churches and schools. There’s lots happening in Sneem over the Easter break.
The Ogham Tree Trail seeks to increase awareness and appreciation of the importance of our native trees and their connection with the Ancient Ogham alphabet and Brehon Laws. The Ogham alphabet was deciphered by local Bishop Charles Graves (of Parknasilla, Sneem) in the 19th century. Bishop Graves also played a key role in promoting understanding of the Brehon Laws. The connection with Bishop Graves will also be exploited and used to promote the connection of the Ogham alphabet and the Brehon Laws to Sneem and the surrounding areas.
The Ogham alphabet is linked to a range of Native Irish Trees. We seek to create a sculpture for each tree using found wood from the tree and incorporating an Ogham letter in iron along with carved/wrought iron seeds and leaves. Each sculpture will have a sign giving the origins of the Ogham letter and the importance in which the tree was held in Brehon Law. The sculptures will be erected close to the living trees. Where possible, we will select veteran trees.
Continue reading “Sneem Ogham Tree Trail”
The March issue features the recent Confirmation class on the front cover. Inside are plans for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Sneem. There are also reports from local clubs, churches and community groups.
Download