sneem

This is what it looks like 130 years later: maps.google.ie/maps?q=sneem&ie=UTF8&hq&hnear=...

Not changed too much-though more colourful I imagine , was travelling thro' there a couple of years ago .

We have nothing but fond memories of this town....and yes, little seems to have altered.... :D

The sign middle left says M. Fitzgerald. The 1911 census shows Mary Fitzgerald, Shopkeeper. Here she is in the 1901 census.

The NIAH says a taller house in this row was built in 1890, so before that date.

When was Photographer: Robert French born? When did he pass? That should narrow it down.

CASSIDY PHOTOGRAPHY The Lawrence Collection (mostly taken by Robert French) dates between 1865 and 1914 - see above. We were hoping it might be possible, as usual with these photographs, to narrow the date down further. We have succeeded many times before.

From the linked pic, the Hotel dates from 1894. This one is well earlier, no extension to our left, but we never found a date for that work.

Often clothing will give a clue.

Field - Saturday 26 December 1885. I assmume that's the 'glazed verandah' next to the entrance extending to the corner of the building.




Meanwhile, Building News - Friday 17 January 1890 lists Rosdohan as one of the private mansions designed by Mr. John Pollard Seddon, in its series about 'Contemporary British Architects'. A lot of his other works were new churches, and he played a big part in the restoration of Llandaff Cathedral.

Flickr is sometimes amazing! Rear/front view via Paul Carbery, who says "built by Dan Carbery 1875 - burnt down in 1920's" -

Edit - above photo at NLI - catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000322691

Mr French/Lawrence took 11 photos of the house and grounds - catalogue.nli.ie/Search/Results?lookfor=rosdohan+sneem&am...

From www.journalofnomads.com/rossdohan-island/

Nobody has lived on the island since the mansion got destroyed by fire in 1955. Now the place is abandoned, perfect for a night of camping and an inspiration for photography.

(other sources give a more plausible 1922)

Also " then burnt in the troubles and later rebuilt but now abandoned again. Now apparently owned by a German who never visits and may be locked up. " thediary.caerhays.co.uk/april/18th-april/april-2018-irish...

January 2020 -
"Kerry’s ‘most beautiful island’ sells for €2m
Parknasilla resort buys Rossdohan Island in Kenmare"
See - www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/kerr...

Well I never! Via Trove from 1910 ...

" ... It is pleasant to read in the "Gardeners' Chronicle" how well many of our Australian trees and shrubs do in Ireland. In a delightful spot on the southern coast stands Rossdohan, where Mr. S. T. Heard has a choice collection of plants and trees, and close at hand are other gardens, in which are many uncommon subjects. A blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) is 70ft. high and 7ft. in girth. Acacia deciirrens blooms profusely, and A. Riceana flourishes against a wall. Pittosporum bicolor and P. Ralphii, the Victorian Hazel (Pomaderris apetala), Hakea saligna, 25ft. high, and several of our Leptospermums, ranging up to 25ft. in height, flourish as well as they do in the Australian bush. Cassinia aculeata, another of our natives, blooms freely, its flowers are first white, then they change to pink, and last in perfect freshness until the frosts. Callistemon salignus, C. speciosus, Melaleuca Leucadendron, Eucalyptus urnigera, and E. viminalis were all thriving. New Zealand is also represented in these gardens. Edwardsia microphylla is 20ft. high, and nearly as much through, and in the spring time it appears like a cloud of yellow, with its beautiful blossoms. Olearias flourish, and a variegated form of Cordyline Australia is extremely rare. ..."

See - trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/142926098?searchTerm=r...