80 years-a-growing...Arrival of Mayo families to Moynalvey in 1943 remembered with special Mass and plaque unveiling

The Land Commission first began subdividing lands in Moynalvey parish in 1937, and over the following 40 years, some 2,000 acres were allocated to almost 70 families, some native to the parish, some arriving from other parts of the country.

In 1943, the townland of Rathkilmore was divided, comprising approximately 300 acres, with 10 families receiving about 30 acres each. Nine of these families came from Co Mayo, alongside a local family.

The arrival of these Mayo families in March 1943 was marked with a special Mass and unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the village pump at the Rath last week.

The migrant families were the Tighes, Munnellys, Heraghtys, and Murrays from Barnatra, Co Mayo; the Hobans and McHales from Foxford; and the Murphys, Morans, Durkans, from Swinford; joining the Rathkilmore Penders to settle on the Rath Road.

The move made the front pages of the national newspapers at the time, as the families left their lives in the west behind, facing into a whole new life's experience, which might or might not work out for them. It did, and today those 10 houses have multiplied to about 50.

Making the move from Mayo were John and Ellen Murphy, son John and daughters, Eileen, Kathleen, Lynda, Mary, and Delia; Martin Moran, his son, Jim,and daughter, Anne-Kate; Margaret Durkan, her son, Mick, and daughter, Peg; Dennis and Mrs Hoban with sons, Denis and Dick, and daughter, Ellen; Winnie McHale, her son, Jim, and daughters, Kathleen, Bridgie and Sarah; Ned and Mary Murray, son, Martin, and daughters, Mary-Kate, Bridgie, Celia, and Nancy; the Heraghtys - John and Annie-Kate, son, Tony, and daughter, Maureen; Bridget Munnelly, son, Paddy, and daughter, Anne; Tony and Nellie Tighe; daughter, Mary, and aunt, Ellen Walsh. Mick and Mrs Pender, and their daughter, Maggie, were the local family.

In 2002, the late Annie Kate Murray (nee Moran) wrote: “In the late 1930s and early '40s, a Government resettlement programme was operating. My father Martin Moran, the Durkan family and the Kilgallon families put their names with the Land Commission to move to Meath or Kildare. In early ’43 things took a serious positive turn. A representative from each of the households who intended to move were invited to go along to inspect and see for themselves the farms houses and outhouses which were being offered. My father and brother Jim went, together with members of the Durkan and Kilgallon families. They were happy with what was presented to them.

“My father was pleased with the layout of his farm as he said “as long as it made life easier for the next generation, I'll be happy about it”. It was not long after that we got the date for the moving. So the packing and taking a part of our once happy home had started. All our household belongings, our stock and poultry, about a ton of turf went on the freight train the day before. We left Kiltimagh Station on 19th March."

Annie Kate continued: “The last goodbyes were said and we moved off. All we could hear was the sobbing and crying indistinct goodbyes until at last it faded into memory. After six hours travelling, we eventually arrived. There was no official stop for passengers and there was no dining car on the train. I cannot remember anyone bringing a sandwich or a flask. There were four families from Swinford travelling that day - the Morans, Durkans and Kilgallons from Castleroyan and the Murphys from Meelick.”

At last week's celebrations, Annie Kate's grandson, Tony Murray, said: “Growing up on our road in the 1980s and '90s, we were very blessed in the reality that practically every family had a granny present. While packs of children and teenagers roamed around we would regularly run into the grannies and regardless of whether you belonged to them or not, they would look out for us, teach us random Irish words or phrases, give us sweets or give out to us if they deemed it necessary. They were wonderfully warm, generous and strong women thought out their lives, farming and raising their families. It’s wonderful that we have this unveiling on Mother’s Day and the anniversary that a lot of them made the journey to give us better lives. For centuries people have congregated at the well, so it’s only fitting that we should meet now at this well, to commemorate our parents, grand-parents, great great grandparents after 80 years.”

Tony said that at times like this, it is important to remember how courageous our people were.

“They were pioneers of their time. They left behind families, friends, homes and the graves of their ancestors. Not to mention the beautiful natural scenery of their surroundings. How hard it must have been, especially for the older people, to adapt to their new surroundings, new homes and new people. Happily, we know that that those families had the support of their neighbours and lifelong friendships, relationships and families grew from this settlement.

“And through the years along with the other Land Commission settled homes, we have helped to grow and have a positive impact the parish and community here in Moynalvey and the surrounding areas. The church, the school, the GAA, even in Fagan’s!”

Tony Heraghty, the last survivor of the original menfolk to arrive, was too young to remember the move, but has charming memories of growing up in the Rath.

“Memories such as relatives arriving from overseas - how quickly word spread without the aid of mobile phones, WhatsApp or Snapchat. Everyone gathered, entertainment provided by my mother, Annie-Kate who would take down the accordion for waltzes and sets around the kitchen. Mick Durkan would take to the floor with his rendition of ''The Gypsy Rover'; Paddy Munnelly would also sing, but he preferred the dancing. Card nights in Granny Murphy's was another form of entertainment. Over to Moran's for sports night, the main events being rings and darts. Another night out was down to the packed auditorium of Winnie McHale's, the first house to have a television.”

He added that one of the Rath's most outstanding qualities has to be the loyalty that they all share with one another, be it a happy or sad occasion.

“I'd like to thank Paddy Murray who planted the seed for this commemoration - 20 years later a committee was formed and Paddy got his wish. Special word of thanks to Father Januze for saying Mass and blessing the plaque; to the Durkans for the work done on the grounds; To Michael for organising the monument; to Shane for all his help, and nothing would happen without the ladies of the Rath so a very special word of thanks to them all.”