An inset plaque on a large limestone boulder marks the commemoration of Charles de Gaulle's 1969 visit to Sneem Village in County Kerry.
Shortly after resigning the presidency of France in 1969, Charles De Gaulle and his wife sought refuge from the political fallout and came to Ireland. It was in Sneem, a small village in a quiet corner of southwest Ireland, that the De Gaulles' found a warm welcome. Here, seeking a haven of peace and tranquillity for some quiet contemplation, they spent two weeks on vacation. Charles de Gaulle felt a great affinity with the Irish Liberator Daniel O'Connell, and knowing O'Connell was from the region, chose to spend time here to regain perspective on his political misadventures.
On the 25th anniversary of his visit, the people of Sneem commissioned a work of art by Valentia Sculptor, Alan Ryan Hall. This consisted of a bronze plaque of General de Gaulle mounted on a large boulder of local limestone, inscribed with a quote in French from De Gaulle regarding his Irish visit, with an English translation of the words provided nearby.
Visit the nearby Sculpture Park in the village and see the Panda sculpture gifted to Sneem by the Peoples Republic of China.
