Moyvilla (Ballinametagh, Ballinmeda)

Source: Athenry FAS Teamwork Scheme 1991

Team Leader: Mrs. Marie Fahy

Sponsors: Athenry Project Society

Ballinametagh is an old name for Derrydonnell and Teampeal Geal is part of this town of Ballinametagh.

In 1641 this area of land was owned by Walter and Tony Browne and it consisted of 11 acres of poor land.  It was then given to T. Smith and J. O’Shea in about 1661_.

It is included in the liberties of Athenry.

Moyvilla is in the Dunkellin Barony and in the D.E.D of Stradbally. Thomas C. Vandeleur once owned Moyvilla.    It is mentioned near a brook called tullach airt in aidhe where the monarch Art was killed in battle. There was an old church called Teampeal Geal or White Church near the castle of Derrydonnell.

There are about five headstones to be seen in Teampeal Geal Cemetery.

These include the following:

To the memory of

Captain William Freeney

Derrydonnell Company

1st Batallion Mid-Galway Brigade

Irish Republican Army

Killed on active service

Against British Forces

July 1921

R.I.P

Erected by his comrades

_____________________________________

Sacred Heart of Jesus Have mercy on the soul of Mary Cahill

who died February 1^st  1888  aged 44 years and her husband Patrick Cahill,

died June 13th 1698 aged 6o years. Also their daughter-in-law Bridget Cahill nee Kennedy died

March 13th 1903 aged 35 years.

Erected by their son John Cahill