In 2019, our brother Patrick Moynahan sponsored our very first trip to Ireland so that we could walk in the footsteps of our ancestors. Back home in Canada, our research has continued and the stories we find are being shared under the banner "The Kerry Chronicles".
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| My brother Patrick at the Rathmore cemetery in Kerry, Ireland in spring of 2019 |
Our visit to three cemeteries in Kerry, Ireland was unplanned. Nohoval Cemetery was the third cemetery we visited, wildly overgrown and extremely difficult to walk through.
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| The three cemeteries in Ireland that we visited in 2019 |
We found many more Moynihans / "Moynahans" on that 2019 visit.
Since then, I have learned some new facts that I wished that I would have known before our visit ... and that I want to share now.
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| My brother inspects the headstone of Daniel D. Moynihan of Shinnagh Aged 92 (1816-1908) and his beloved wife Annie (Buckley) Moynihan (1826-1900) |
I have pulled from many sources to write this Nohoval cemetery blog post: photographs from our 2019 Ireland trip; the Casey Collection known as “O'Kief, Coshe Mang, Slieve Lougher and the Upper Blackwater"; The Irish National Folklore Collection; Ancestry Trees and information from paternal atDNA and Y-DNA testing results.
While reviewing Volume VI of the Casey Collection, I came across tombstone inscriptions for the Nohoval graveyard copied by Matthew Daly, N.T., of Knocknagree in 1961 and a map.
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| Excerpt: “O'Kief, Coshe Mang, Slieve Lougher and the Upper Blackwater"; Volume VI; Pages 1303 & 1304 |
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| Source: https://historicgraves.com/sites/default/files/pdf-uploads/surveys/23679/nohoval-41212.pdf |
Using both resources, I was able to learn more about the headstone pictured above that had captured my brother's attention in 2019.
I learned even more about this headstone from Find A Grave where a descendant (Pauline Moynihan) had filled in additional facts (in 2020) about this Moynihan family which eventually led me to a family photo added to ancestry by Daniel Moynihan's second great granddaughter (KMulkern)
Pictured below, on the left is a 2012 photo of the headstone. It is a lot less worn and overgrown than my photo of my brother taken in 2019. On the right, Daniel and his wife Annie (Buckley) Moynihan are seated in the front of the Moynihan family photo taken in Ireland. The two men in the rear (right) are sons Maurice (in top hat) and James who both eventually emigrated to Australia.
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| Left: Nohoval Cemetery (2012) Moynihan headstone (Source: CO-NVLR-193) ; Right: Moynihan Family portrait (Source: KMulkern) |
What I Wish I Would Have Known About Nohoval Cemetery
In June 2019, when I visited the cemetery with my brother and sister, it was a last minute suggestion we were given in a Rathmore bar over a Guinness and a Jameson with an Irishman whose Irish brogue was so strong we could hardly understand. The woman behind the bar clarified the suggestion for us and provided directions to the Nohoval cemetery.
Turning again to “O'Kief, Coshe Mang, Slieve Lougher and the Upper Blackwater"; Volume VI, I later learned that, "the vine covered Shine-Lalor tomb" is the spot where the "altar of St Finian's Church (founded A.D. 556) was situated."
I took many photographs the day of our visit to Nohoval in June 2019
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| Nohoval Cemetery June 2019 |
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| Nohoval Cemetery June 2019 |
The Shine-Lawlor/Lalor Tomb
According to Jer Moynihan (via the National Folklore Collection), Shine-Lalor was a landlord :
"Shine Lalor lived near Killarney. He was a very good Landlord. He evicted no people from their farms. There is no knowledge where his family went to. Shine Lalor is buried in Nohaval, Knocknagree, and his tomb is supposed to be on the side of the Alter of the old Monastery. People make crosses with stones on the side of the tomb when "paying rounds" on Holy Thursday or Good Friday and Easter Sunday. or any Thursday, Friday or Saturday or on the pattern day 13th December."
(Note the addendum is by Diarmuid Ó Muimhneacháin,(Moynahan))
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| Source: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4921762/4904423/5218707?ChapterID=4921762 |
There is no mention of Shine-Lalor in the listings at the Historic Graves website, however, the 1961 work done by Matthew Daly does provide additional information about the four tombs located at Nohoval cemetery:
A.) " I.H.S. Here lies the body of Thadee Shine who departed this life on the 11th August 1776. Aged 58. Lord have mercy on him" also "|At A stood the high altar of the old monastery church."
We know that Thadee Shine lived 1718-1776 and is buried in a tomb at Nohoval cemetery.
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| Source: “O'Kief, Coshe Mang, Slieve Lougher and the Upper Blackwater" Vol VI |
There was no way of knowing at the time of our visit in 2019 that this overgrown cemetery also contained the tomb of Shine-Lalor atop the high altar (circa 556 A.D.) Our only hint of the incredible history of this sacred space came from the road sign across the street from the cemetery entrance "Sliabh Luachra Cultural Trail Stop 5"
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| "Nohoval was ravaged by the famine, with the population decreasing some 88.5% in ten years, i.e. from 3954 in 1841 to a figure of 453 in 1851" (O’ Muineachain, D. 1996. p. 41). |
Other Moynihans in Nohoval Cemetery
Due to the state of the cemetery on our visit in 2019, it was quite difficult to walk around and visit every headstone. Here then is a listing based on the work of Matthew Daly in 1961 and the work of Historic Graves in 2012. Links provide a picture of the headstone.
Note: There were lots of other related surnames in this cemetery: O'Leary, Cronin, etc
- CO-NVLR-008: Dennie Jack Moynahan, Rathbeg, Rathmore, died 9th June 1950 Aged 94 yrs, his wife Mary died 13th Aug 1906 aged 45 yrs, Rest In Peace Moynihan
- CO-NVLR-009: Erected by Denis Moynehan of Rathbeg in memory of his beloved wife Johanna Moynehan who died in 1871 aged 80 yrs Requiescant In Pace, Amen
- CO-NVLR-012: IHS Sacred to the memory of Cornelius Moynahan who died Dec 24th 1868 aged 72 years, his son Timy who died 29th Jany 1877 aged 42 yrs, his daughter Kate died 21st August 1881 aged 48 years and his son Daniel who died March 5th 1893 aged 42 yrs on whose soul sweet Jesus have mercy.
- CO-NVLR-113: John Moynihan who died in 1828 aged 36 yrs Also his son Michl died in 1874 aged 52 yrs and his Son Dan who died young R.I.P. Erected by his Daughter Margaret of Coom Registd CLANCY
- CO-NVLR-135: Erected by John Moynihan Leamyglissane in memory of his wifebwho died 13th Feb 1876 aged 35 yrs and his father Cornelius died 1836. Also his mother Mary died 6th May 1868. On their souls sacred Jesus have mercy.
- CO-NVLR-144: In loving memory of Timy Moynahan, Coom, died Feb 1st 1808, aged 80 R.I.P. Erected by his children, New York.
- CO-NVLR-148: Erected by Timothy Moynahan in memory of his Father Denis Moynahan formerly of Gurteen who died in 1835 aged 50 yrs. Also his Brother James and Sisters Mary & Nanno who died young Requiscant in Pace Amen Though they sleep I forget them not Registd Clancy
- CO-NVLR-172: I.H.S. Here Lies the Body of Cornelius Moynihan of Knockacappill Died March 19th 1805 Aged 69 yrs may he rest in peace Amen
- CO-NVLR-193: (Mentioned previously) The burial place of Dan'l Moynihan of Shinnaggh died May 1908 aged 92 years, also of his beloved wife Annie died Oct 31 1900 aged 74 years R.I.P. (On the back of the headstone) John Moynihan A.D. 1878
- CO-NVLR-194: In loving memory of John D. Moynihan, Shinnagh, Rathmore, died 6 Aug 1965, his wife Julia Mary died 14 May 1986 aged 87 years and their son Donal died 15 Nov 1937 aged 10 years, Dan Moynihan died 26 Feb 1968 aged 70 years R.I.P. Moynihan
- CO-NVLR-195: In loving memory of John D. Moynihan Shinnagh, Rathmore who died Aug 6 1965 Aged 65 YRS R.I.P.
Matthew Daly Inscription:
- Tomb D: Here lies the body of Francis Moynahan, Islanderagh, who died on the (unreadble)
Nohoval Cemetery
Nohoval Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in the area and history has recorded that a monastery was erected there in the year 556 AD by Saint Finian whose feast is celebrated on December 13th.
It is only in hindsight that I have come to learn these new details highlighting what an incredibly special place this was that we visited in June 2019. For this we give thanks to the good folks in Rathmore who sent us off to Nohaval cemetery in search of our Moynahan ancestors.
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| Overview of cemetery from Historic Graves |
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| Cows on the other side of the cemetery wall took great interest in the three of us when we visited |
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| The good folks in Rathmore who sent us off to Nohaval cemetery in search of our Moynahan ancestors. |
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