Ordnance Survey Letters by John O'Donovan and Eugene Curry, 1839

Parish of Moyarta (d)

There is another burying ground called Killcasheen in the Townland of Killcasheen in this Parish. This was a deserted burying place in the year 1739 but in the ensuing year when famine and pestilence raged through the country and dead human bodies were to be met with by the roads and ditches, my grandfather, Melachlin-Garbh-O’Cómhraidhe, who tenanted, at will (being a Papist) the tract of land now called Moneen [recté Moveen] and in which Kilcasheen is situated, employed himself, his workmen, his horses and sledges in carrying the victims of the plague from all parts of the neighbouring district and burying them here, so that it has continued ever since to be a burial place, although not a popular one.

There is another burying place for children in the adjoining Townland of Furroor. There is an old Castle called Caislea-Duin-Lice, in good external preservation in the Townland of Moveen West, but of which I find no mention in the Parish Name Book. This Castle, the Castle of Carrigaholt and the Castle of Moyarta (of which there is now no vestige) are set down as belonging to Tirlagh Mac Mahon, in the list of gentlemen’s residences preserved in MS. T.C.D., Class E.2. 14. The following places mentioned in Hardiman’s Irish Deeds, No. 14, are situated in this Parish, viz:-

1. Moveens (the two).
2. Ceathramha-na-bFhaoilean.
3. Ceathramha-Bhan (q.?).
4. Cuibhren-Cuille.
5. Cluain Carthainn.
6. Cill-Chroine.

There is a small burial place for children in the Townland of Killinny and a Holy Well called after St. Martin, and at which Stations are still performed, in the Townland of Clarefield.

                                                                                     I remain, Sir,
                                                                                                 Your obedient servant
                                                                                                             Eugene O’Curry