Hello -
Could anyone tell me if there are any Kirbys on the 1878 list of tenants on the Moore Hall Estate as published in the journal of SMFHRC 1990 p.5-15. I'd like to find out the the names on the list. Would also like to hear from anyone with Kirby relations in Gortbaun/Ballintober. Many thanks.

We're Murphys from Moore Hall!

John~
One of my favorite places to visit when in Mayo. My husband & I are great fans of Thomas FLANAGAN's Year of the French which is about the MOORE family, Moore Hall and the 1798 Rebellion. The mansion is in ruins but we like to do an autumn stroll down the path and do "Kodak" moments. If you do not have any, contact me and I can upload some photo's to you. Just have to locate the correct file. Have you checked the 1901 and/or 1911 census to see if your ancestors are listed in that area? The mansion was destoyed in either the Easter Uprising 1916 or the Civil War which followed.
maryln61@yahoo.com

Does anyone know if the Moores came to New Jersey?

Probably not. The MOORE family was a wealthy Irish Catholic family which was rare. John MOORE played a big part in the 1798 Rebellion in Mayo. He was given a title, can't recall exactly, first President of the Republic or something similar. At first the Rebels with French help put the English to route. A feat called the Castlebar Race. However were eventually defeated. John died in jail while his family tried to save him from hanging. On the gate is a large plague placed there by descendants residing in CA, as a tribute to John MOORE. George MOORE was a famouse author who was a bit extrensic. The family were very good landlords and helped their tenants through the famine. Sadly, a mistake was made during the Civil War and Moore Hall was destroyed.
"Year of the French" by Thomas Flanagan, first in his Irish Trilogy, has the MOORE family among the main characters.
You can google this family. Great deal of data on line.
There is another Moore Hall in County Waterford in Lismore Parish. The Waterford Moore family (Anglo Irish) still reside there but the surname via marriage has changed.

Actually, yes, there are many descendants of George H Moore in NJ. Though not in the male line. George Henry Moore's granddaughter lived in New Jersey. She was the daughter of George H. Moore's only daughter, Nina. Born in Ireland, she went first to Canada where she met her husband (though the actual marriage took place at St Patrick's in Monkstown). They returned to Canada to live for a few years before moving to New Jersey about 1918.

The only descendant of the male line that I know came to the US was Maurice (aka Rory) Moore, the son of Col. Maurice Moore (Nina's brother). Rory lived in Wyoming for several years before moving to California.

Other descendants of that Moore line (that I know of) settled in England, France and Canada.

J Murphy

There is a HUGE metal oval shaped plaque on the gates which was the main drive up to Moore Hall back in the day. They are now locked or were a few years back. It commemerates George's brother who was made the first president of Ireland during the Year of the French. It states it was placed there by a MOORE family who at that time resided in CA. This could be the family of your man Rory MOORE or him.

I don't remember it as being oval - but there is a rather large plaque that Maurice (Rory) Moore had commissioned that reads something like:
"In Memory of John Moore, First president of Ireland, and the men of this parish that gave their lives for Ireland in the rising of 1798.
Erected by Maurice C. Moore, California, USA."

John Moore's grave was found in Waterford in 1961 and the body was moved and re-interred at the Mall in Castlebar in August 1961 (Rory attended the service. I have somewhere an old newspaper writeup of the event that he sent us)

I think that the plaque in the Mall reads:
"Ireland's first president and a descendant of St Thomas More, who gave his life for his country in the rising of 1798..... By the will of the people exhumed and re interred here with all honours of church and state"
(I should mention that the Thomas More connection is beyond 'iffy' - more like a snowball's chance in.... That relationship was doubted even by the family back in the late 1800's)
When I visited there some years ago the grounds were open to the public (free of charge) - you couldn't go in through the original gates but there was a road that led around to a parking lot not far from the house.

I also have (somewhere) a map of Moore Hall as it was before the fire that shows the layout of the property and outbuildings. I can dig it out if anyone is interested.

J Murphy

I would love a copy! When in Mayo visiting family, we often go over to Moore Hall, just to walk and do photos. MOORE Family has facinated me. "Year of the French" by Thomas Flanagan is a favorite novel. Try to picture George looking out on the grounds,concern for his brother, etc. I think one can do an attachment. If not, will send my "E" mail address.
Thank you for your kind offer.

Mary Ellen Chambers

I've sent you a note through Ancestry's messages so that you can send me your email address without having to post it to the boards. Let me know if for any reason you don't receive it.

J Murphy